Firm elevation of the auricle in reconstruction of microtia with a retroauricular fascial flap wrapping an autogenous cartilage wedge.

During conventional reconstruction of the auricle in patients with microtia, simply separating the auricle from the mastoid region with a full-thickness skin graft usually fails to create firm elevation and sufficient projection. To achieve frontal symmetry is difficult, and sometimes the normal auricle needs to be set back. We reconstructed the auricle in patients with microtia in two major stages using a modified Nagata's method. Using a wide W-incision skin flap, the first stage includes implantation of a cartilage framework and transposition of the ear lobule. Our modification lies in the second stage. Instead of using the superficial temporoparietal fascial flap, we elevated a retroauricular fascial flap from the mastoid region, turning it over to wrap an autogenous costal-cartilage wedge, and covered it with a full-thickness skin graft. Between June 1996 and May 1999, eight patients underwent this operation. All the fascial flaps and overlying full-thickness skin grafts survived well. The advantages of our technique include firm elevation, good frontal projection and a natural appearance of the posterior aspect of the ear. Additionally, by using this fast and practical procedure, we avoid creating additional scars on the scalp and preserve the superficial temporoparietal fascia and superficial temporal vessels. Copyright 2001 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.