Tragus formation during concha-type microtia repair using a chondrocutaneous island flap

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Microtia frequently accompany anomalous remnant skin tags, with or without the presence of a cartilage structure. The incidence of this condition is unknown. Abnormal skin tags and anomalous cartilage are usually removed during the staged reconstruction used for microtia repair. In most cases, the tragus is reconstructed separately [1-4].

Various surgical techniques are used for tragus reconstruction in microtia patients. Since Tanzer [1] first reported an ear reconstruction method for microtia repair using an autogenous rib cartilage graft, many plastic surgeons have also developed other techniques. However, formation of an ideally-shaped tragus remains a difficult issue. Use of a cartilage graft from the contralateral ear, an anteriorly-based conchal flap doubled upon itself (Kirkham method) by an extra cartilage piece attached to this main framework, or included in the main ear framework through an arched intertragal notch (Nagata method), are methods that have been reported [2-4].

Regardless of the technique used, postoperative flattening during long-term follow-up is caused by decreased blood flow in the transferred graft and flap, which are attached in a scarred area using staged surgery. Simultaneous cartilage implantation as a part of a one-stage framework formation results in a relatively good outcome because it is performed in an unscarred area. However, this method requires a relatively large amount of rib cartilage and technically demanding, time-consuming, formation of the framework. Recently, using remnant ear for tragus reconstruction is also introduced. Xiao et al. [5] reported W-shaped skin flap, conchal trace modification, or composite graft using remnant tissue not discarded from the previous stage. Here, we present a modification of staged tragus formation in which we used the anomalous skin lump and cartilage to make the new tragus.

IDEA

A 10-year-old boy visited our clinic with a chief complaint of a small, right-sided ear deformity. The patient presented with a concha-type microtia (Fig. 1). Using the two-stage Nagata method, the patient underwent surgical correction of the microtia via an autologous rib cartilage graft to form the ear framework, and a temporoparietal fascia flap [4]. During the first stage, lower part was preserved since it resembled normal structure. The cartilage framework only included upper part of ear and concha area without tragus.

Fig. 1.

A right-sided concha-type microtia with a small underdeveloped tragus, before surgery.

Additional minor surgery (third stage) was performed under local anesthesia to improve the shape of the tragus. The anomalous skin lump above the lobule and the underdeveloped traguslike structure containing the small cartilage were still present after the microtia surgery (Fig. 2). The outline of a 1.0×0.9-cm chondrocutaneous island flap was defined on the preserved anomalous skin lump. A small, 1-cm, scalpel incision was made above the underdeveloped tragus, and further dissection around the anomalous cartilage was performed. A tunnel was made between the tragus and the skin lump. The harvested island flap, which preserved the anteriorly based subcutaneous pedicle, was passed through the tunnel and inserted up to the dissected area (Figs. 3, 4). The flap was closed using vicryl (6-0) suture material to add bulky soft tissue to the underdeveloped tragus. Vicryl (6-0) suture material was also used to close the donor site. An interrupted suture pattern was used for both closures. The wound healed uneventfully and the new tragus was satisfactorily improved in both size and shape. At 7-month follow-up, the size and shape of tragus were well maintained, and the patient was satisfied with the result (Fig. 5).

Fig. 2.

After the procedure using the Nagata method for concha-type microtia repair, the anomalous skin lump above the lobule and facing the underdeveloped tragus can be observed.

Fig. 3.

Chondrocutaneous island flap method for tragus reconstruction.

Fig. 4.

(A) A subcutaneous pedicled chondrocutaneous island flap was prepared along the anomalous skin lump margin and a small 1-cm vertical incision was made above the underdeveloped tragus. Further dissection around the anomalous cartilage was used to make the space filled by the flap. (B) Then the harvested island flap was passed through the tunnel and was used to fill the dissected area.

Fig. 5.

The new tragus was well maintained in both size and shape at 7 months after surgery.

DISCUSSION

Tragus reconstruction is significant to ameliorate the aesthetic outcome in auricular reconstruction. Moreover, it is also related to improved functional outcome [6]. The tragus is present in some published case reports of concha-type microtia. Because the formed cartilage framework is usually used for the upper part of the deformed ear, simultaneous tragus reconstruction as a part of the framework is often unnecessary.

This unique case had only a portion of pre-existing cartilage at the tragus site, and an anomalous skin lump. The anomalous skin lump from the area adjacent to the tragus can be used as a chondrocutaneous island flap based on dermal plexus, if it is not excised during previous stages of reconstruction. This method is possible because the ear is a highly vascularized tissue that allows the formation of a viable, random island flap [7]. Tragus reconstruction using remnant tissue has recently been tried [8,9]. Our case proves that, although it might not be possible in all cases, tragus reconstruction using anomalous tissue might be advantageous.

This method can be used for tragus formation in patients with a concha-type microtia. A chondrocutaneous island flap can be used for tragus formation in cases with an anomalous skin lump present at a location that is close enough in proximity to use an interpolation flap.

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