[Meatoplasty using island pedicle flap]

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Plastic Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Congenital external auditory canal atresia presents challenges in creating a functional auditory canal and improving hearing.
• Existing surgical techniques may have limitations in terms of canal stability and hearing outcomes.

Observation:

• A novel meatoplasty technique was employed in three patients with congenital external auditory canal atresia.
• The procedure utilized a postauricular island pedicle flap, which was fashioned into a tubed and then a blind tube pedicle flap with a free skin graft.

Findings:

• Two out of three patients experienced significant improvements in hearing acuity following the meatoplasty.
• All three patients achieved a patent external auditory canal without recurrence of atresia post-surgery.
• The island pedicle flap, nourished by the posterior auricular artery, provided adequate coverage for the newly created canal.

Implications:

• This one-stage meatoplasty procedure offers a viable solution for congenital external auditory canal atresia.
• The technique demonstrates potential for durable canal reconstruction and meaningful hearing improvement.
• Further research may explore the long-term efficacy and broader applicability of this surgical approach.