[Surgical treatment of deep burns of the external ear]

The concha of the auricle is frequently affected by deep burns, especially when it is due to contact with flame. In similar cases the goal of operative treatment is to arrest as early as possible the development of the inflammatory process in the cartilage. In case of central localization of the lesion the necrotically altered skin and cartilage is removed, and the resulting defect is resurfaced immediately or within a few days using a free skin graft. Treatment in case of marginal localization consists in incision along the edge followed by resection of the changed cartilage alone, and adaptation of the skin edges one to each other using several stitches and fixation to the head by means of a compression bandage. In severe burns with simultaneous central and marginal localization complete excision of necrotic cartilage and skin is performed, and the defect is covered by a free skin autograft immediately or within a few days.