Donor site morbidity post-conchal cartilage grafting

Morbidity of the conchal cartilage donor site is evaluated in this article. Forty-two patients (from 1984-1994) with 44 donor sites were reviewed retrospectively. In 27 cases an anterior approach was used and in 17 cases a posterior approach was used. Four complications were observed: two cases of delayed healing in the post auricular approach, one case of flattening of the ear after an anterior approach, and one case with an anterior hypertrophic scar was seen. Only one case needed further surgical intervention. The anterior approach is technically easy, safe, and quick to perform but should be avoided in patients with a history or genetic predisposition to keloid or hypertrophic scars.