John Reinisch1, Youssef Tahiri. 1. Los Angeles, Calif. From the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; and Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of a porous high-density polyethylene implant for ear reconstruction is gradually gaining acceptance because it allows for a pleasing ear reconstruction in young children before they enter school. In response to this growing interest, the authors decided to write an article clarifying in detail all the steps of this challenging procedure. In this article, the authors also answer all the common questions that surgeons have when they come to observe the operation, or when they go back to their respective practices and start performing this procedure. METHODS: The authors describe in detail the operative steps that allow for a successful ear reconstruction using porous high-density polyethylene. The key parts of this operation are to meticulously harvest a well-vascularized superficial temporoparietal fascia flap and to use appropriate color-matched skin grafts. RESULTS: This method allows for a pleasing ear reconstruction with excellent definition, projection, symmetry, and long-term viability. CONCLUSION: The use of porous high-density polyethylene with a thin superficial temporoparietal fascia flap coverage is the authors' preferred method of ear reconstruction because it can be performed at an earlier age, in a single stage, as an outpatient procedure, and with minimal discomfort and psychological trauma for the patients and parents.
BACKGROUND: The use of a porous high-density polyethylene implant for ear reconstruction is gradually gaining acceptance because it allows for a pleasing ear reconstruction in young children before they enter school. In response to this growing interest, the authors decided to write an article clarifying in detail all the steps of this challenging procedure. In this article, the authors also answer all the common questions that surgeons have when they come to observe the operation, or when they go back to their respective practices and start performing this procedure. METHODS: The authors describe in detail the operative steps that allow for a successful ear reconstruction using porous high-density polyethylene. The key parts of this operation are to meticulously harvest a well-vascularized superficial temporoparietal fascia flap and to use appropriate color-matched skin grafts. RESULTS: This method allows for a pleasing ear reconstruction with excellent definition, projection, symmetry, and long-term viability. CONCLUSION: The use of porous high-density polyethylene with a thin superficial temporoparietal fascia flap coverage is the authors' preferred method of ear reconstruction because it can be performed at an earlier age, in a single stage, as an outpatient procedure, and with minimal discomfort and psychological trauma for the patients and parents.
Authors: Thomas H Jovic; John A G Gibson; Rowena Griffiths; Thomas D Dobbs; Ashley Akbari; Nicholas Wilson-Jones; Rhodri Costello; Peter Evans; Mark Cooper; Steve Key; Ronan Lyons; Iain S Whitaker Journal: Front Pediatr Date: 2021-03-26 Impact factor: 3.418