Guy Dagregorio1, Vincent Darsonval. 1. Federation of Dermatology and Plastic Surgery, CHU Poitiers, Poitiers, France. verone4@wanadoo.fr
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of partial amputations of the auricle is a continuous subject of publications, in particular, the techniques of ear reconstruction with postauricular flaps. OBJECTIVE: To present in detail the surgical procedure of a new peninsular conchal transposition flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This new conchal transposition flap has been used since 1998 to reconstruct seven partial amputations of the upper or middle third of the auricle. If we compare the flap to a tennis racket, the head corresponds to a skin-cartilage-skin flap harvested from the concha and the shaft to a post- and supra-auricular cutaneous and subcutaneous pedicle based around the posterior auricular artery and the superior auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. The blood supply is reliable because the superior branch of the posterior auricular artery anastomoses with the superior auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. RESULTS: There have been no significant complications, except one case of partial rim necrosis, which responded well to wound healing by secondary intention. CONCLUSION: Our peninsular flap could be an alternative to more complex procedures involving costal cartilage harvesting, provided that auricle amputations are confined to the upper or middle third of the peripheral structures and spare the concha.
BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of partial amputations of the auricle is a continuous subject of publications, in particular, the techniques of ear reconstruction with postauricular flaps. OBJECTIVE: To present in detail the surgical procedure of a new peninsular conchal transposition flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This new conchal transposition flap has been used since 1998 to reconstruct seven partial amputations of the upper or middle third of the auricle. If we compare the flap to a tennis racket, the head corresponds to a skin-cartilage-skin flap harvested from the concha and the shaft to a post- and supra-auricular cutaneous and subcutaneous pedicle based around the posterior auricular artery and the superior auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. The blood supply is reliable because the superior branch of the posterior auricular artery anastomoses with the superior auricular branch of the superficial temporal artery. RESULTS: There have been no significant complications, except one case of partial rim necrosis, which responded well to wound healing by secondary intention. CONCLUSION: Our peninsular flap could be an alternative to more complex procedures involving costal cartilage harvesting, provided that auricle amputations are confined to the upper or middle third of the peripheral structures and spare the concha.