Reconstruction of Congenital Microtia and Anotia: Analysis of Practitioner Epidemiology and Postoperative Outcomes

Early Postoperative Complications in Microtia Reconstruction: An Analysis of the NSQIP-P Database

OBJECTIVES

Microtia and anotia repair require techniques that consider both aesthetics and function. The outcomes of different reconstructive frameworks such as costal cartilage or a porous polyethylene implant have not been evaluated on a national scale. We aim to understand differences in outcomes/complication rates and operative times between different reconstructive frameworks used in microtia/anotia reconstruction.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database between 2012-2019. Patients with ICD-9/10 codes for microtia/anotia were isolated. Reconstruction methods were identified using CPT codes for rib graft, ear cartilage graft, and alloplastic implants (biocompatible implants, porous polyethylene, etc). Outcomes included operative-time, wound complications, and unplanned re-operations within 30 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to control for confounders.

RESULTS

We included 593 patients for analysis. Reconstruction with rib grafts (N = 506, 85%) was the most common. In 58 patients (9.8%), an implant was used for the auricular framework, whereas in 47 (7.9%) ear cartilage grafts were used. The overall wound complication rate was 3.4%. On univariate analysis, alloplastic implants exhibited a higher rate of wound complications (8.6% vs. 2.8%, p = 0.037) and longer operative times (350 min vs. 235 min, p < 0.001). After controlling for demographics and comorbidities, implants conferred an independently increased risk of wound complications (OR 3.52, 1.10-9.54, p = 0.020).

CONCLUSION

Although the use of alloplastic implants (e.g., porous polyethylene) may confer an increased risk of early complications, the long-term clinical implications of these findings are unclear relative to aesthetic benefits. Multi-institutional studies are needed to validate these findings using patient-specific and surgeon-specific data.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 134:1214-1219, 2024.

Porous Polyethylene Versus Autologous Costochondral Reconstruction for Microtia: Incidence and Analysis of Secondary Procedures

OBJECTIVE

To examine the frequency of autologous and alloplastic ear reconstructions for patients with microtia in the United States, and describe post-index procedure rates associated with each method.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Claims data from 500 + hospitals from IBM® MarketScan® Commercial and Multi-State Medicaid databases.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

A total of 649 patients aged 1 to 17 years with International Classification of Diseases, ninth/tenth revision (ICD-9/10) diagnoses for microtia, congenital absence of the ear, or hemifacial microsomia.

INTERVENTIONS

Alloplastic or autologous ear reconstruction between 2006 and 2018.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Post-index procedures performed within 1 year following the index repair, analyzed across the study period and separately for each half of the study period (2006-2012, 2012-2018).

RESULTS

A total of 486 (75%) qualifying patients received autologous and 163 (25%) received alloplastic reconstruction. Secondary procedure rates were significantly higher in the autologous group at 90 days (P = .034), 180 days (P < .001), and at 365 days (P < .001). Alloplastic reconstruction accounted for 23.2% of reconstructions in the first half of the study period compared with 26.7% in the second half (P = .319). One-year secondary procedure rates in the autologous group were not significantly different between both halves of the study period (69.7% vs 67.1%, P = .558), but were significantly lower in the second half for the alloplastic group (44.9% vs 20.2%, P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

In these databases, autologous reconstruction is more common than alloplastic reconstruction. Autologous reconstruction is staged, with most undergoing a secondary procedure between 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. Secondary procedure rates decreased over time in patients undergoing alloplastic reconstruction.

Reconstructive Techniques in Pediatric Congenital Microtia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Autografts and allografts are commonly used in microtia reconstruction. We aimed to systematically review and compare these reconstructive materials in pediatric congenital microtia reconstruction. A systematic review of the literature was performed. MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases were searched for original studies on congenital microtia reconstruction in pediatric patients since database inception to 2021. Microtia grade was stratified as high or low. Meta-analysis of pooled proportions and continuous variables was performed using inverse variance weighting with a random effects model to compare between the autograft and allograft groups. Sixty-eight studies with a total of 5,546 patients used autografts (n = 5,382) or alloplastic implants (n = 164). Four other studies used prosthesis, cadaveric homografts, or tissue engineering. The allograft group was on average younger than the autograft group (8.4 vs. 11.1 years). There were no syndromic patients in the allograft group, compared to 43% in the autograft group. Patients treated with allografts had higher microtia grade than those treated with autograft (98 vs. 72%). Autografts were more commonly utilized by plastic surgeons and allografts by otolaryngologists (95 vs. 38%). No autografts and 41% of allografts were done concurrently with atresiaplasty or bone conduction implant. Satisfaction rates were similarly high (>90%) with similar complication rates (<10%). Microtia reconstruction using autografts and allografts had similar satisfaction and complication rates. Allografts were preferred for younger patients and concurrent hearing restoration. Further large-scale studies are required to evaluate the long-term efficacy of these reconstructive techniques.

Segmentation of the 3D printed mirror image auricular model to ease sculpture of the costal cartilages in total auricular aesthetic reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Recently, three-dimensional (3D) models have been used more frequently than the traditional two-dimensional (2D) models as an intraoperative guide to ease sculpture of costal cartilages in total auricular aesthetic reconstruction in cases of microtia. Usually, 3D imaging techniques are used to create compact ear models, however, there is insufficient clinical knowledge of using them to create segmented 3D auricular models for cartilage framework reconstruction. IN THIS STUDY: assessment of the advantages of segmentation of 3D models over the traditional compact 3D models in total auricular aesthetic reconstruction has been discussed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the current study, 16 patients who underwent total auricular aesthetic reconstruction using 3D models were included, patients were divided into two groups (Group I, 8 patients had total auricular aesthetic reconstruction using compact 3D printed mirror image model). Whereas (Group II, 8 patients had total auricular aesthetic reconstruction using segmented 3D printed mirror image model into auricular subunits. Then, each subunit was used for reconstruction of the corresponding part of the auricle. In both groups the patient's unaffected ear was mirrored and used as a reference to reconstruct the affected side.

RESULTS

The results were evaluated in both groups. The overall operative and carving times were found to be less in Group II; Also, postoperative aesthetic outcome and patient satisfaction were favorable in this group.

CONCLUSION

Using segmentation of 3D printed models in total auricular aesthetic reconstruction had less intraoperative time, better aesthetic results, and high postoperative patient satisfaction.

Ear reconstruction stage I: Minor modifications in sculpting the auricle support using the 7th and 8th costal cartilages

BACKGROUND

The verisimilitude of the reconstructed auricle and its long-term stability largely depends on the framework sculpting. This study described three kinds of minor modifications based on Firmin's way of sculpting the auricle framework and reported the clinical outcomes achieved with them.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of congenital microtia patients undergoing detail-improved auricular reconstruction from June 2016 to June 2020. The three kinds of minor modifications included: (1) fabricating the base frame using the 7th costal cartilage, (2) fabricating the helix and the antihelix complex using the 8th costal cartilage, and (3) fabricating the helix using the combination of the 8th and 9th costal cartilage.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients (aged 9-27 years, 62.2% male) were included. Ninety-five patients (97.0%) adopted minor modifications 1, 2, and 3 patients (3.0%) adopted minor modifications 1, 2, and 3. All patients achieved an excellent auricle appearance and a well-laid foundation for subsequent operations. During the follow-up period, 89 patients (90.8%) were satisfied with the reconstructed auricles, 6 (6.1%) complained of hypertrophic scars in the retroauricular sulcus or pigmentation in the skin graft area, and 3 (3.1%) developed surgery-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Three minor modifications of the auricle framework sculpting can make more satisfactory use of cartilage and adjust with the flexibility of the reconstructed auricle in different situations, making it similar to the contralateral auricle, thus, improving patients' satisfaction.

An Unusual Delayed Complication of Rib Graft Microtia Reconstruction After Two Decades: A Case Report

Microtia comprises a spectrum of congenital malformation characterized by partial deformities of the auricular components to complete absence of pinna. Surgical reconstructions of this anomaly are often complex and technically challenging. Infection, hematoma, and skin necrosis with resultant exposed cartilage graft tend to occur in the early phase of post-operative care. Herein, we report a case of a spontaneous auricular abscess with exposed cartilage framework 20 years following rib cartilage reconstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first case of such an occurrence. The treatment options are discussed, along with the review of the literature.

A novel method to accurately locate the reconstructed auricle

BACKGROUND

Congenital microtia is a common congenital disease in children, the cause of which is still unclear. At present, the main treatment for congenital microtia is ear reconstruction. Accurately locating of the reconstructed ear on the affected side before ear reconstruction surgery is difficult, while it is the key of successful operation. Our ear reconstruction team has developed a novel method to accurately locate the reconstructed auricle. This novel method has achieved good results in clinical practice.

METHODS

Thirty patients with unilateral ear reconstruction, who underwent auricle reconstruction using our invented auricle reconstruction positioning method in the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2020 to July 2021, were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

Through Wilcoxon signed rank test, we found that there was no statistical difference between the mean distance from the highest point of the patient's normal ear to the central axis of the nose and that from the highest point of the reconstructed ear to the central axis of the nose (P>0.05). Meanwhile, there was no statistical difference between the mean distance from the lowest point of the patient's normal ear to the central axis of the nose and that from the lowest point of the reconstructed ear to the central axis of the nose (P>0.05). The satisfaction rate of patients and their families to the location of the reconstructed auricle was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel method of locating the reconstructed auricle employs simple materials. The implementation process is easy, and the effect is significant. To a certain extent, it solves the difficulty of locating the reconstructed auricle in ear reconstruction operation. Although this method can only be applied to patients with unilateral microtia, we recommend it for locating the reconstructed auricle by every plastic surgeon.

Satisfaction and health-related quality of life of patients with microtia following reconstructive surgery using the Nagata technique

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the functional outcomes, satisfaction, and quality of life of patients with microtia following reconstructive surgery.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted using retrospective data of patients with microtia following reconstructive surgery using the Nagata technique. Data were obtained from the medical records of patients who underwent reconstructive surgery at the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital between 2014 and 2018. All eligible patients were referred to participate in this study between November 2018 and March 2019. The hearing function was assessed by a professional audiologist after surgery. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by interview using a previously developed questionnaire, while quality of life was assessed using the EuroQol-5D-Young questionnaire.

Results

Thirty-one eligible subjects were included in the study. Pain and discomfort were the most commonly reported factors related to the quality of life following surgery. Approximately 67.7% of the patients were satisfied; 19.4% were very satisfied, and 12.9% reported acceptance of their surgical outcomes. The most common complication was infection (n = 8). Most patients did not experience any problems in their lives after microtia surgery.

Conclusions

The highest rate of satisfactory outcomes was observed for the lobule subunit, which was assumed to be associated with the use of the Z-plasty technique. The most common complication was infection, as environmental hygiene was the most important factor. Thus, further concern for maintaining good hygiene is necessary to improve the quality of reconstructive surgery. The level of satisfaction with microtia reconstructive surgery was adequate. Most patients had a good health-related quality of life without experiencing any problems.