W A Schroeder1. 1. Department of Surgery, St. Francis Medical Center, Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63703, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Conchal defects secondary to surgical procedures or trauma often cannot be closed primarily. OBJECTIVE: Tissue transfer for closure of defects must be tension free and not create a postauricular sulcus too shallow. METHODS: A retroconchal island flap provides such a closure. A rhomboid transposition flap used to provide closure of the donor site retains the depth of the posterior sulcus. RESULTS: The closure of the defect heals well within 4-6 weeks even in presence of scar tissue from multiple prior surgeries. CONCLUSION: The retronconchal island flap is a simple, reliable technique to close the defect of the concha without sacrificing the natural depth of the posterior sulcus.
BACKGROUND: Conchal defects secondary to surgical procedures or trauma often cannot be closed primarily. OBJECTIVE: Tissue transfer for closure of defects must be tension free and not create a postauricular sulcus too shallow. METHODS: A retroconchal island flap provides such a closure. A rhomboid transposition flap used to provide closure of the donor site retains the depth of the posterior sulcus. RESULTS: The closure of the defect heals well within 4-6 weeks even in presence of scar tissue from multiple prior surgeries. CONCLUSION: The retronconchal island flap is a simple, reliable technique to close the defect of the concha without sacrificing the natural depth of the posterior sulcus.