Ear Elevation Using 2-Tiered Costal Cartilage on the Same Side as the Reconstructed Framework:

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.

Long-term aesthetics, patient-reported outcomes, and auricular sensitivity after microtia reconstruction: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Auricular reconstruction for microtia is most frequently performed using autologous costal cartilage (ACC) or porous polyethylene (PPE) implants. Short-term results are generally promising, but long-term results remain unclear. Long-term outcomes were explored in this systematic review, and minimal reporting criteria were suggested for future original data studies.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through October 14, 2020. Articles on auricular reconstruction in patients with microtia using ACC or PPE were included if postsurgical follow-up was at least 1 year. Outcome reporting was split into separate publications, and results on complications were reported previously. This publication focused on long-term aesthetic, patient-reported, and sensitivity outcomes.

RESULTS

Forty-one publications reported on these outcomes. Both materials led to aesthetically pleasing results and high rates of patient satisfaction. ACC frameworks grew similarly to contralateral ears, and the anterior surface of auricles regained sensitivity. Furthermore, postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes were generally good. Data synthesis was limited due to considerable variability between studies and poor study quality. No conclusions could be drawn on the superiority of either method due to the lack of comparative analyses.

CONCLUSION

Future studies should minimally report (1) surgical efficacy measured using the tool provided in the UK Care Standards for the Management of Patients with Microtia and Atresia; (2) complications including framework extrusion or exposure, graft loss, framework resorption, wire exposure and scalp/auricular scar complications and (3) HRQoL before and after treatment using the EAR-Q patient-reported outcome measure (PROM).

Long-term complications of microtia reconstruction: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Microtia is a rare disorder characterized by malformation or even complete absence of the auricle. Reconstruction is often performed using autologous costal cartilage (ACC) or porous polyethylene implants (PPE). However, the long-term outcomes of both methods are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aimed to analyze long-term complications and suggest minimal reporting criteria for future original data studies.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception through October 14, 2020. Articles on auricular reconstruction in patients with microtia using ACC or PPE were included provided that the follow-up period was at least one year. This publication focused on long-term complications reported in patients with a postoperative follow-up period of at least one year.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine publications reported on complications during long-term follow-up. Overall long-term complication rates were not reported. The incidence of individual complications during long-term follow-up was less than 10% after ACC reconstruction and less than 15% in PPE reconstruction. Framework resorption and wire exposure were reported even after an extended follow-up of more than five years after ACC reconstruction, while reports on the extended long-term results of PPE reconstruction are limited. Data synthesis was limited due to heterogeneity and poor study quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should report on long-term complications including framework exposure or extrusion, graft loss, framework resorption, wire exposure and scalp and auricular scar complications. We recommend a surgical follow-up of at least five years.

A modified crescent cartilage block for improving the retroauricular contour of the reconstructed ear: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The use of a semilunar cartilage block to elevate a reconstructed ear does not always achieve a well-defined auriculocephalic sulcus. Herein, we modified the conventional crescent cartilage block through sculpting a concavity at its posterior surface, with the aim of improving the retroauricular contour. The study aimed to verify the effectiveness and reliability of this modified cartilage block through a retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients who underwent Nagata microtia reconstruction between October 2017 and November 2018 were conducted. The esthetic outcomes of auricular projection and cranioauricular sulcus in patients who accepted the modified semilunar block were compared with those of patients who underwent the same procedure using the traditional crescent pad.

RESULTS

A total of 163 (84 of the modified group and 79 of the traditional group) patients were included. The mean (median) esthetic scores for ear projection in the modification and traditional groups were 3.13 (3) and 3.06 (3), respectively. The rate of favorable ear projection in the modification group (83.3%) was similar with that in the traditional group (78.5%) (p = 0.550). The mean (median) esthetic scores for cranioauricular sulcus in the modification and traditional groups were 2.51 (3) and 2.90 (3), respectively. The rate of favorable retroauricular sulcus in the modification group was 75.9%, whereas that in the traditional group was 51.2%, with the differences reaching statistical significance (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The concave crescent-shaped block can improve the contour of the auriculocephalic sulcus under the premise of ensuring the ear projection.

Standardized measurement of auricle: A method of high-precision and reliability based on 3D scanning and Mimics software

Objective measurement is important for diagnosing congenital or acquired auricular abnormalities and the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. However, methods applied in the past were mostly inaccurate and unreliable. The present study aimed to introduce five standardized indices for auricle measurement and present a highly precise and reliable methodology combining three-dimensional (3D) scanning techniques and the Materialise Mimics software for the evaluation of auricle sizes. A total of 20 normal ears were measured independently by four surgeons using the standardized digital method with 3D scanning technique and the traditional manual method. Parameters of the auricle, including the length and width, arc length, cranioauricular height and angle were measured using the Mimics software. Paired t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were performed on the data to assess the precision, uniformity and observer independence of the method. Pearson's product moment correlation was calculated to assess the correlation between auricle length and width in addition to the correlation between cranioauricular height and angle. No significant differences were indicated between measurements of five auricular parameters made by two surgeons using the digital method. However, significant differences were found using the manual method (P<0.01). ICC values derived from digital measurements ranged from 0.901 to 0.987, whereas those derived from manual measurements ranged from 0.526 to 0.807. These results suggested that the standardized digital method was replicable and reliable compared with the traditional manual method. Pearson's coefficient analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between cranioauricular height and angle (P<0.05), but no correlations were found between the height and width of the auricle (P>0.05). Taken together, data from the present study suggested that measurements of the length and width, arch length, and cranioauricular height and angle of auricles using the standardized digital method combining 3D scanning with the Mimics software were comprehensive, precise, convenient, repeatable and reliable.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: An Effective and Noninvasive Therapy for Complications of Ear Reconstruction

OBJECTIVES

Although complications of ear reconstruction are rare, common salvage procedures involve invasive surgery, and final outcomes can be uncertain. In this study, the authors have successfully applied noninvasive hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an adjunct treatment for the complications of ear reconstruction.

METHODS

During a 2-year period, 42 patients with complications of ear reconstruction were included in the study. All patients received HBOT twice a day for 2 to 3 courses, and each course lasted for 10 days.

RESULTS

Patients suffered from 4 different complications: hematoma (15), flap venous congestion (13), frame exposure (10), and postoperative infection (4). After HBOT, 41 patients recovered without a need for additional surgical repair. One patient developed an infection and required further treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined with traditional salvage procedures, HBOT effectively treated various complications of ear reconstruction.

Complication rate of autologous cartilage microtia reconstruction: a systematic review

Background:

Autologous cartilage has been widely accepted as the frame material of ear reconstruction for patients with microtia. Although rare, there are multiple complications related with the surgical reconstruction techniques. The authors performed a systematic review of the English literature of microtia reconstruction to determine significant surgical factors that are predictors of postoperative complications.

Methods:

A PubMed search using the terms “ear reconstruction” and “microtia” was conducted. Articles were screened using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collected included patient characteristics, surgical techniques, the incidence of all kinds of complications, and the specific postoperative morbidity. Patient cohorts were pooled, and the incidence of complications was calculated. Significant predictors such as the use of tissue expander, simultaneously mid-ear reconstruction, with/without skin graft, and different fascia coverage were analyzed by chi-square test.

Result:

Of 320 articles found, 60 met the inclusion criteria. Totally 9415 patients with microtia were analyzed in this review with 1525 cases with complications. The overall complication incidence is 16.2% in average with a range of 0–72.9%. There was no significant difference when comparing the overall complication rate between with/without preexpansion 2-stage and multiple-stage techniques or with/without mid-ear reconstruction simultaneously.

Conclusion:

Although there is little agreement in literature regarding risk factors for complications, the authors were able to demonstrate several significant predictors by systematically analyzing 60 articles. Improved knowledge of the incidence of different complications related with various surgical methods can help surgeons provide improved preoperative counseling and take measures to minimize the risk.