The staged retroauricular to auricular direct pedicle (interpolation) flap for helical ear reconstruction

• Published in: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 1997-12, Vol.37 (6), p.975-978
• Main Authors: Johnson, Timothy M., Fader, Darrell J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - surgery; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Ear Cartilage - surgery; Ear Deformities, Acquired - pathology; Ear Deformities, Acquired - surgery; Ear Neoplasms - surgery; Ear, External - pathology; Ear, External - surgery; Esthetics; Female; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Melanoma - surgery; Skin Neoplasms - surgery; Skin Transplantation - methods; Skin Transplantation - pathology; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the ear, the auditive nerve and the facial nerve; Surgical Flaps - pathology; Treatment Outcome; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 0190-9622; 1097-6787
• DOI: 10.1016/S0190-9622(97)70075-6

Background: A significant soft-tissue defect involving the helix of the external ear may present a difficult challenge to repair. Objective: We describe our experience with the staged retroauricular to auricular pedicle flap for repair of soft-tissue defects with exposed cartilage of the helix of the ear. Methods: The staged pedicle flap was used to repair 26 helical ear defects after excision of basal cell carcinoma ( n = 16), squamous cell carcinoma ( n = 3), and melanoma ( n = 7). Results: Defect size ranged from 1 × 2 cm to 4 × 6 cm (average 2.4 × 3.3 cm). Defects involved the superior helix in 12 patients, mid helix in 11, and inferior helix in three. No cases of infection or flap necrosis occurred. Conclusion: The staged retroauricular to auricular pedicle flap consistently provides a good to excellent functional and cosmetic outcome when performed on properly selected helical ear defects. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1997;37:975-8.)