Acute trauma with total or sub-total ear amputation is a problem that the plastic
surgeon is sometimes asked to solve. The ear is very difficult to reconstruct due
to its complex structure, delicate elastic cartilage and thin cutaneous envelope.
The morbidity of a total or near total ear amputation is severe, both functionally
and aesthetically. Consequently, every effort must be made to salvage an amputated
ear segment. The choice of the salvage procedure is influenced by the conditions of
the amputated segment, the stump and adjacent tissues. A clean cut amputation gives
the plastic surgeon a better chance of success, but frequently the reconstruction
is very difficult, if not impossible, due to heavy damage to the ear and surrounding
tissues. Microsurgical ear replantation is a possible option but in our experience
rarely possible due to vessel damage. The plastic surgeon must be familiar with ‘non-microsurgical’
therapeutic alternatives for this problem, specifically with the ones that can be
used with badly traumatised ears. We think Baudet´s
1
fenestration technique is still an option to consider in these difficult clinical
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References
- A propos d'un procédé original de réimplantation d'un pavillon de l'oreille totalement séparé.Ann Chir Plast. 1972; 17: 67
- Management of avulsion injuries of the external ear.Plast Reconstr Surg. 1967; 40: 534
- Ear reattachment by the modified pocket principle.Plast Reconstr Surg. 1973; 51: 584
- Ear replantation without microsurgery.Plast Reconstr Surg. 1997; 99: 1868-1872
- Implantes osteointegrados na correcção do pavilhão auricular.Rev Port ORL. 2000; 38: 265-270
Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 24, 2006
Identification
Copyright
© 2006 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
