Summary
Graft selection remains a problem in nasal reconstruction, where the use of autologous
cartilage still provides the best resistance to infection and a low degree of resorption.
As the nasal septum is often absent or insufficient in such patients, the auricular
concha offers a valid alternative.
A group of 53 patients suffering from developmental iatrogenic and post-traumatic
nasal pathologies were treated surgically by means of conchal grafts. Detailed examination
of the anatomical defects presented by the patients made it possible to plan the removal
of grafts from the area of the auricular concha with great precision. Guidelines were
developed for the areas of the cymba concha and cavum concha to be used as sources
for some types of commonly used graft.
The technique described made it possible to restore the anatomically deficient structures
with satisfactory aesthetic and reconstructive results. The use of cartilage grafts
also addressed functional breathing problems.
The auricular concha is easy to shape and can provide grafts to reconstruct the various
anatomical components of the nasal pyramid. To this end, it proves very useful to
save as much cartilage as possible and to pinpoint affinities between some areas of
the concha and the structures to be reconstructed.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 28, 2006
Accepted:
February 8,
2006
Received:
August 5,
2005
Footnotes
☆This study was presented at the XIV National Meeting of Italian Society of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, 2005 June 9–11.
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
