Title: Reconstruction for Human Bite Defect of Auricle Helix with a Posterior Auricle Advance Skin Flap
Abstract: Background: Human bites in the maxillofacial region compromise function and aesthetics. There is paucity of information regarding human bite injuries in Taiwan. Reconstruction for human bite defect of auricle helix is difficult owing to the delicate structure of the ear and the risk of infection. Although reconstruction of auricle defects after skin cancer or tumor excision is well established, the experience and discussion about the reconstruction of human bite injury over the ear are rare, especially in such potential infected wounds.Aim and Objectives: We describe a reconstructive technique in one stage operation with delay reconstruction after the bite injury over helix and evaluate the results. Materials and Methods: Ten patients underwent helix of the auricle reconstruction using a posterior auricle advance skin flap by one surgeon during the period between 1993~2011 (19 years) were reviewed. This series included nine patients which were caused by human bite and one caused by dog bite. There are four defects over right ears and six defects over left ears. We designed a questionnaire for post-operation satisfaction survey, including similarity of size and shape, correct cephalo-auricular angle, donor site satisfaction and matching color. Results: The average size of defect is 4.3cm ×2.0cm. All of the reconstructed auricles had good three-dimensional forms with satisfactory color and texture. No post auricular skin flap fell into partial necrosis, and all of the flaps were well healed without vascular stasis. There was neither constriction of the ear nor deformation due to scar contracture.Conclusions: We report on the successful reconstruction after bite injury defects involving the helix of the auricle using a post auricular advance skin flap. There is no morbidity of the donor site and the reconstructed auricles' color and texture are excellent, the advance post-auricle flap can be an ideal donor site for coverage of the helix area of the auricle. (J Taiwan Soc of Plast Surg 2012;21:201~211)
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-09-01
Language: en
Type: article
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