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Retroauricular skin flap and primary Z-plasty for donor site closure in partial ear reconstruction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2006

Raymund E. Horch ,
Joerg Schipper  and
Roland Laszig
Raymund E. Horch
Affiliation:
Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
Joerg Schipper
Affiliation:
Department of Ear Nose and Throat Surgery, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Germany.
Roland Laszig
Affiliation:
Department of Ear Nose and Throat Surgery, Albert-Ludwigs-University of Freiburg, Germany.
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Abstract

Helical rim defects are noticeable and may well need reconstruction, especially in men. A method for reconstructing this type of defect together with primary donor site closure by Z-plasty is described.

To close partial helical rim defects, a retroauricular caudally based rotational skin flap is performed to cover a conchal cartilage graft from the same ear that is harvested first and sutured into place to remodel the helical rim. To primarily close the donor site defect a retroauricular Z-plasty was developed which easily allowed primary closure of the donor site.

The technique described here is straightforward, safe and reproducible. The Z-plasty approach for closing the donor site is useful, since the slight disturbance of the hairline is well hidden retroauricularly. This technique can be considered as a single-stage repair modality for the reconstruction of helical rim defects within primary donor site closure.

Keywords

Ear Deformities AcquiredSurgical Flaps
Type
Brief Report
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 117 , Issue 6 , June 2003 , pp. 487 - 489
Copyright
© Royal Society of Medicine Press Limited 2003

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