Total Ear Reconstruction with Costal Cartilage in Challenging Cases: Silicone-Induced Vascularized Capsule Technique

Total ear reconstruction using an autogenous costal cartilage framework within a mastoid skin pocket becomes challenging when suboptimal mastoid skin prevents complete framework embedding.

Twelve patients with suboptimal mastoid skin underwent a silicone-induced vascularized capsule technique. Eight patients had congenital dystopic lobule-remnant microtia or anotia, accompanied by a severely low hairline, hemifacial microsomia, or both. Three patients had lobule-remnant congenital microtia requiring revision, and 1 patient had posttraumatic microtia. In 7 cases, hair-bearing mastoid skin was treated preoperatively with laser depilation. During the first stage, silicone blocks were placed in the recessed area of the cartilage framework-either the concha (11 patients) or scapha (1 patient)-to promote formation of a vascularized capsule between the silicone and bare cartilage, enhancing skin-to-framework contact. The second stage involved framework elevation to achieve ear projection. In the third stage, silicone blocks were removed, and skin grafts were applied. Two patients were excluded because of incomplete final-stage surgery.

Nine patients developed well-vascularized capsules, enabling full-thickness skin grafting, without tissue loss. One had partial capsule loss from silicone exposure through a scar, but the remaining capsule supported successful grafting. During the 10-month to 4-year follow-up, grafted skin remained stable, with well-preserved contours. The capsule provided additional coverage of 227 mm 2 to 841 mm 2 (mean, 553 mm 2 ). All patients reported high satisfaction.

This technique offers a reliable option for total ear reconstruction in patients with suboptimal mastoid skin, allowing tension-free coverage and stable long-term outcomes.