Repair of a Large Full-Thickness Conchal Bowl Defect.

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Otolaryngology
• Dermatologic Surgery

Background:

• Large full-thickness conchal bowl defects present significant reconstructive challenges.
• Existing methods like wedge excisions, composite grafts, and interpolation flaps have limitations for large defects requiring structural integrity and cosmetic finesse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case demonstrating a novel single-stage reconstructive technique for a large conchal bowl defect.
• To highlight the efficacy of a full-thickness hinge flap with a Burow graft for auricular reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• A 77-year-old male with a 2.0×3.6-cm full-thickness conchal bowl defect post-Mohs surgery for squamous cell carcinoma was treated.
• Reconstruction was performed using a single-stage, full-thickness hinge flap combined with a Burow graft.

Main Results:

• The described technique successfully reconstructed the large conchal bowl defect.
• The single-stage approach provided a cosmetically favorable outcome.

Conclusions:

• Full-thickness hinge flaps with Burow grafts represent a reliable and aesthetically advantageous single-stage option for reconstructing large conchal bowl defects.
• This technique addresses the limitations of traditional methods for complex auricular defects.