Category: ear reconstruction | plastic surgery case study

Plastic Surgery Case Study – Reconstruction of the Constricted Ear

Background: One of the most common congenital malformations of the external ear is that of the constricted ear deformity. It goes by a number of other names such as lop ear and cup ear. But they all fall under that of an ear constriction issue. Think of the outer helical rim as a draw string Read More…

Plastic Surgery Case Study – ePTFE Ear Implant Immediate Reconstruction after Skin Cancer Resection

Background: Ear reconstruction is most commonly done using autologous graft materials. Whether it is microtia reconstruction using rib cartilage in children or adult ear reconstruction using cartilage grafts and pedicled skin flaps, the patient’ own tissues offer the least risk of postoperative complications and should be done when possible. The use of synthetic frameworks or Read More…

OR Snapshots – Total Ear Reconstruction with Temporoparietalfascial Flap

Loss of the ear through either traumatic amputation or from tumor resection poses major reconstructive challenges. There is not only the replacement of the supporting ear cartilage that is responsible for making the ear look like an ear. But there is also the replacement of the lost skin that covers the underlying ear framework. The Read More…

OR Snapshots – Rib Graft MIcrotia Ear Reconstruction

The ear is composed of two basic structures, cartilage and skin. The cartilage component of the ear is considerable as only the earlobe is not supported by it. The cartilage is solely responsible for the very complex shape of the ear with its many hills, valleys, ridges and curves that are seen externally. How it Read More…

Dermal Fat Grafting To Improve the Stiffness of Medpor Ear Reconstructions

Microtia is a congenital condition where all or major parts of the ear are missing. Two methods of microtia reconstruction have evolved using either one’s own ribs or through the use of a synthetic framework. Autologous microtia reconstruction is done to using portions of the cartilaginous #7, 8 and 9 ribs to create the base Read More…

Surgical Correction of the Constricted Ear Deformity

One of the major types of congenital ear deformities is that of the constricted ear. It is estimated that it represents about 10% of all congenital ear deformities. It is a variable ear deformity that has been described by multiple classification systems (e.g. Tanzer, Cosman, Ngata) with associated surgical strategies based on its classification. The Read More…

Plastic Surgery Case Study – Macrotia Ear Reduction

Background: The embryology and development of the human ear is a marvel in not only its complexity but how well it works most of the time. It is created by the merging of six separate tissue segments (hillocks) in utero that create the recognizable ear that is a collection of various ridges and valleys. But Read More…

Burn Ear Reconstruction Options

Ear reconstruction is challenging and is put to the test when portions of the ear are lost from a burn injury. Burned ears present with a unique situation due to the pattern of ear loss. Almost always the external auditory canal and the cartilaginous tragus and portions of the antihelix may remain. But the outer Read More…

Simultaneous Stahl’s Ear and Constricted Ear Corrections

There are numerous types of congenital ear deformities. The constricted ear represents a tightness of the ear like a cinch around the outer helix of the ear which makes it smaller and often folded somewhat onto itself. The Stahl’s ear deformity, also known as a Vulcan or Spock ear, has a cartilage fold that can Read More…

Lop Ear Deformity Reconstruction with Rib Graft

The shape of the ear is incredibly complex and it is a miracle that the ear is properly formed as often as it does. But when it does not become adequately shaped there are many possibilities for its deformity. One such category of congenital ear deformity is that of the constricted ear. This is where Read More…