Managing the ear as a donor site for composite graft in nasal reconstruction: update on technical refinements and donor site morbidity in 110 cases.

Reconstruction of multilayer defects of the lower nose, using composite grafts from the ear is a widespread technique. Little information exists about important aspects of managing the ear as a donor site for composite grafts. In a retrospective study, patient data were worked up concerning special preoperative planning features (donor site, recipient site), defect closure techniques, donor site morbidity, and esthetic and functional long-term results. One hundred ten composite grafts from the auricle were harvested for different defects at the lower nose. Skin and soft-tissue defect reconstruction at the auricle was carried out by tissue advancement in 43 cases or local flaps in 66 cases. Donor site morbidity was low (5 cases of delayed wound healing, 1 abscess). No flap necrosis occurred. Long-term follow-up (2-5 years) revealed no esthetic or functional impairments. Composite graft harvesting from the auricle is safe with minimal donor site morbidity, proper implementation assumed.