25.0: Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 3:44 PM
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Ear Reconstruction with "Medpore" Implant after Traumatic Avulsion Injury

Vipul R. Dev, MD, Joseph Michienzi, and Peter T.H. Wang.

Traumatic ear avulsions are often considered a reconstructive challenge. There have been several reports of successful reconstruction of avulsed ears. The success of ear reconstruction after trauma depends on vascular patency and the availability of soft tissue coverage over the implanted or harvested cartilage framework. Recent advances have fueled the utilization of prosthetic materials in the reconstruction of traumatic ear avulsions and have successfully limited them to single stage procedures. We present three cases of successful total or subtotal ear reconstruction using “Medpore” framework instead of cartilage, which was covered with the ipsilateral, pedicled temporoparietal fascial flap with a full thickness skin graft allowing for a one stage procedure. One year follow up illustrated satisfactory aesthetic results, good anatomic detail and healing of the implanted right ear with minimal scar formation. “The pocket principle” is used in the reattachment of small or large avulsions. This technique also can be applied to the reconstruction of total amputations; however, it involves multiple stages and increases morbidity. Our report demonstrates the use of the auricular “Medpore” prosthesis and ipsilateral temporoparietal fascial flap with a full thickness skin graft in a single stage procedure.