[Auricular reconstruction in cases of microtia. Principles, methods and classification].

In the correction of microtia, whether it be isolated or associated to other facial anomalies, the same principles are followed: sculpture of a framework from autologous rib cartilage to reproduce the contours of an ear and coverage of the framework with the cutaneous remnants. The sculpting of the cartilaginous framework requires sufficient training which through experience becomes the most routine surgical step of the reconstruction. Regarding the cutaneous step, it is different, because the microtia may appear in multiple forms. Numerous clinical classifications have already been published. The new classification which has been proposed, enables a better understanding of the cutaneous step of microtia correction. It is a surgical classification. Three different types of skin plasties (type 1, 2 and 3) allow for the treatment of all microtia. Thus, a surgical proposal can be advocated as early as the clinical examination regarding the appropriate utilization of the cutaneous remnants.