• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.443-446
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• 2010

Purpose: Tragus is one of the key structure of the normal shape of auricle. We experienced several cases of hypoplastic tragus with preauricular appendage. This article describes the methods of reconstruction of atypical tragus using accessory tragus or macrotragus to make better aesthetic results rather than simple excision. Methods: From April, 2004 to March, 2009, 21 patients got operations by our method. Seven patients had bilateral deformity of tragus. Mean age was 12.7 years. For 17 cases of accessory tragus, simple excision, z-plasty and interpolation flap was performed. For 11 cases of macrotragus, debulking and z-plasty was performed. Mean follow-up period was 9.4 months. Results: Reconstructed tragus looked symmetric with the opposite side in contour, size, direction and partial coverage of auditory meatus. There was no enlargement of remnant appendage for the follow up period and there was no complication such as hematoma, infection and chondritis. Conclusion: In cases of small and deformed tragus, preauricular tissue such as accessory tragus and macrotragus could be a good source of tragal reconstruction.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2014

Background: The ear is composed of elastic cartilage as its framework, and is covered with a thin layer of skin. Auricular reconstruction using autogenous cartilage in microtia patients requires delicacy. This paper reports clinical experiences related to elevation of reconstructed ear in the last 11 years. Methods: This study was based on 68 congenital microtia patients who underwent auricular elevation in our hospital. Among these 68 patients, 47 patients were recruited. We compared the differences in the ear size, auriculocephalic angle, and conchal depth with those in the opposite ear, and the patients' satisfaction levels were investigated using a survey. Results: The difference in the sizes of the two ears was less than or equal to 5 mm in 32 patients, 5 to 10 mm in 10 patients, and greater than or equal to 10 mm in 5 patients. The difference in the auriculocephalic angles of the two ears was less than or equal to 10 degrees in 14 patients, 10 to 20 degrees in 26 patients, and greater than or equal to 20 degrees in 7 patients. The difference in the conchal depths of the two ears was less than or equal to 5 mm in 24 patients, 5 to 10 mm in 19 patients, and greater than or equal to 10 mm in 4 patients. The average grade of 3.9 points out of 5 points was obtained by the patients with satisfactory surveys. Conclusion: We could make enough protrusion and maintain the three-dimensional shape for a long time to satisfy our patients.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.357-362
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• 2020

Background: Full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) have been widely used after facial skin cancer resection, for correcting defects that are too wide to be reconstructed using a local flap or if structural deformation is expected. The preauricular, posterior auricular, supraclavicular, conchal bowl, nasolabial fold, and upper eyelid skin areas are known as the main donor sites for facial FTSG. Herein, we aimed to describe the effectiveness of using infraclavicular skin as the donor site for specific cases. Methods: We performed FTSG using the infraclavicular skin as the donor site in older Asian adults following skin cancer resection. Outcomes were observed for > 6 months postoperatively. The Manchester Scar Scale was used for an objective evaluation of satisfaction following surgery and scarring. Results: We analyzed the data of 17 patients. During follow-up, the donor and recipient sites of all patients healed without complications. Upon evaluation, the average Manchester Scar Scale scores for the recipient and donor sites were 7.4 points and 5.7 points, respectively. Conclusion: In general, conventional donor sites, such as the preauricular, posterior auricular, and supraclavicular sites, are widely used for facial FTSG because they achieve good cosmetic results. However, the infraclavicular skin may be a useful donor for facial FTSG in cases where the duration of time spent under anesthesia must be minimized due to a patient's advanced age or underlying health conditions, or when the recipient site is relatively thick area, such as the nose, forehead, or cheek.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 1993

Bony ankylosis is an intraarticular condition where there is fusion of the bony surfaces of the joint : The condyle and the glenoid fossa. It occurs in both children and adults, unfortunately more frequently in the former, in whom early recognition and correction is particularly critical. Trauma is well proven to be the predominant cause of TMJ ankylosis. Infection, rheumatoid arthritis and neoplasm are another, significant cases of TMJ ankylosis. The necessity for using an interpositional material to prevent TMJ reankylosis has been widely discussed and many interpositional materials have been used, including temporal muscle and fascia, dermis, auricular cartilage, fascia lata, fat, Lyo-dura, Silastic and various metals. The temporal muscle and fascia have been widely used pedicled flap for head and neck reconstruction. The use of a temporal muscle and fascia for reconstruction of the TMJ, particularly in cases of ankylosis is a very reasonable option. Its principle advantages are its autogenous nature, resilience, and proximity to the joint, allowing for a pedicled transfer of vascularized tissue into the joint area. However, the viability of temporal muscle and fascia is a critical question. We treated 2 cases of TMJ ankylosis with temporal muscle and fascia transfer and one case with temporal fascia. We obtained satisfactory results as to functional aspects.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.225-228
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• 2020

Background: The aim of this study is to develop a two-stage training module using radish and swine scapular cartilage for carving ear cartilage. Methods: In the first stage, white radish was cut in 3-6 mm thick slices. The ear cartilage framework was carved using a graver and the helix and antihelix were fixed with pins. In the second stage, swine scapular cartilage was obtained. The thickness varied 3-6 mm. The ear cartilage framework was made. And triangular fossa and scaphoid fossa were carved with graver. A curvilinear cartilage for helix was assembled to the framework by pin fixing. Six participants were recruited for an ear reconstruction training workshop and figures of the cartilage framework were provided. Participants were asked answer the pre-workshop questionnaire and post-workshop questionnaire on a Likert scale to rate their satisfaction with the outcome. Results: On the pre-workshop questionnaire, participants indicated that they did not have sufficient knowledge and skill for fabricating the ear cartilage framework (1.5±0.5 using white radish; 1.3±0.5 using swine scapular cartilage). On the post-workshop questionnaire, participants responded that they had learned useful knowledge from this workshop, reflecting a significant improvement (3.8±1.0 using white radish; 4.0±1.1 using swine scapular cartilage). They also indicated that they had become somewhat confident in this skill (4.2±0.8 using white radish; 4.3±0.5 using swine scapular cartilage. The participants generally found the workshop satisfactory (practically helpful, 4.7±0.5; knowledge improved, 4.8±0.4; satisfied with course, 4.5±0.5; would recommend to others, 4.8±0.4). Conclusion: This model can be useful for ear reconstruction training for medical personnel.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.288-294
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• 2016

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor that originates from cartilaginous cells and is characterized by cartilage formation. Only 5% to 10% of chondrosarcoma occurs in the head and neck area, and it is uncommon in the temporomandibular joint area. This report describes an unusual case with a rare, large chondrosarcoma in a 47-year-old woman who presented with painless swelling and trismus. Computed tomography showed a large mass approximately $8.5{\times}6.0$ cm in size arising adjacent to the lateral pterygoid plate and condyle. There were features suggestive of bone resorption. The tumor was resected in a single block with perilesional tissues, and a great auricular nerve graft was performed because of facial nerve sacrifice. Microscopic examination of sections stained with H&E revealed chondrocytes with irregular nuclei and heterogeneous hyper chromatic tumor cells embedded in the chondrocyte lacuna. The diagnosis was a grade I chondrosarcoma. There was no evidence of recurrence at the 8-month follow-up, and a reconstruction surgery with fibular osteocutaneous free flap was performed. We report this unusual entity and a review of the literature.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.511-515
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• 2005

Autologous cartilage grafts have become an integral part of aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. However, little objective information is available about the actual quantitative resorption of cartilage in human. This study sought to objectively quantify and compare the resorption of costal cartilage in human. To compare the resorption characteristics of rib cartilage autografts, we harvested rib cartilage grafts from 37 microtia patients. All autografts were implanted subcutaneously on chest and then removed after 6 to 17 months. Graft mass and volume were compared before and after implantion. Rib cartilage grafts with perichondrium averaged $10.8{\pm}7.4%$ resorption by volume, On the other hand rib cartilage grafts without perichondrium $25.5{\pm}6.8%$. There was no evidence of necrosis or inflammatory changes. The rib cartilage is the preferred source of autogenous cartilage for auricular reconstruction. Short-term resorption of rib cartilage without perichondrium appears to be higher than with perichondrium. The low resorption of cartilage with perichondrium may be due to in part to cartilage forming capacity of the perichondrium. It remains to be seen whether these differences in resorption persist in the long term.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.209-213
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• 2013

Background A cartilage wedge block and covering flap are standard procedures for firm elevation of the ear in microtia correction. However, using costal cartilage for elevation of the reconstructed auricle can be insufficient, and the fixed cartilage wedge block may be absorbed or may slip out. Furthermore, elevating covering flaps is time-consuming and uses up fascia, a potential source of reconstruction material. Therefore, we propose an innovative method using autologous onlay rib bone graft for auricular elevation of microtia. Methods From February 1995 to August 2012, 77 patients received a first stage operation with a rib cartilage framework graft. In the second stage operation, a small full thickness of rib bone was harvested through the previous donor scar. The bihalved rib bone was inserted into the subperiosteal pocket beneath the cartilage framework. Results The follow-up time ranged from 1 month to 17 years, with a mean of 3 years. All of the patients sustained the elevation of their ears very well during the follow-up period. Donor site problems, except for hypertrophic scars, were not observed. Surgery-related complications, specifically skin necrosis, infection, or hematoma, occurred in 4 cases. Conclusions Onlay rib bone graft used to elevate the reconstructed auricle is a more anatomically appropriate material than cartilage, due to the bone-to-bone contact between the bone graft and the temporal bone. Postoperative minor correction of the elevation degree is straightforward and the skin graft survives better. Therefore, reconstructed auricle elevation using onlay rib bone graft is a useful and valuable method.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.109-113
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• 2000

Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon disease of cartilage transformation of synovial membrane with formation of loose bodies within the joint space. The knee and elbow are the most commonly involved sites and involvement of temporomandibular joint is very rare. Symtoms include swelling, pain, stiffness of the jaw, and inability to close the jaw. A case involving the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) is presented. A 28-year-old women had experienced pain of the left TMJ area and limitation of mouth opening. Radiographs of the left TMJ revealed calcified mass surrounding over the mandibular condyle and under the glenoid fossa. Treatment consisted of removal of calcified mass, reshaping of affected condyle and reconstruction with a auricular cartilage. After surgery, the patient's range of motion improved although deviation to the affected side. Until present after surgery there have been no recurrence of symtoms. We think that findings of this patitent agree with those of synovial synchondrmatosis in many aspects.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 1991

Various nerves from many areas of body can be used as a donor of autogenous nerve graft in the microneurosurgical repair of the oral and maxillofacial region. In the grafting procedure of nerve repair, the best results will be achieved with a maximum approximation of fascicular surface at both the porximal and the distal stumps. Therefore, appropriate selection of donor nerve will bring out the best results. The sural nerve has been used as one of the most popular donor nerve in the microneurosurgical repair of the oral and maxillofacial region. The authors examined the fascicular characteristics of the human sural nerve microscopically and compare this results with our previous report of the greater auricular nerve and that of the inferior alveolar nerve.