Effectiveness of Auricle Reconstruction with Costal Cartilage for the Treatment of Microtias

Abstract

Introduction: Auricle reconstruction is, nowadays, a difficult problem to solve. Several surgical techniques have been proposed and only those based on the use of autologous costal cartilage are accepted worldwide.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the auricle reconstruction technique described by Burt Brent.

Methods: A quantitative study with a cross-sectional descriptive design was carried out with 41 patients who presented congenital microtia or acquired loss of the ear and who were performed auricle reconstruction with autologous costal cartilage in the plastic surgery service at Hospital “William Soler”, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Quirúrgicas and Clínica Central “Cira García”, from 1994 to 2019. The used technique described by Burt Brent was, in turn, described and documented. A 10-point scale based on the normal atrial anatomy was used to assess the outcomes.

Results: Thirty-two patients with congenital microtia (78.04 %) and nine traumatic losses (21.95 %) were found, with a predominance of the female sex (56.09 %). The incidence was higher on the right side (68.75 %) in patients with congenital microtia. Favorable and satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 95 % of cases.

Conclusions: Auricle reconstruction requires the use of a costal cartilage piece of enough size, shape and projection. The key is to sculpt a cartilaginous framework of the ear and to maintain these details through the skin as close as possible to the normal ear. A high level of specialization is required for a satisfactory outcome.

Keywords: congenital microtia; auricle; auricle reconstruction.