Cartilage Hinge Flap for the Repair of Antihelical Defects

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2010

Abstract

The removal of skin cancers on the ear may leave the surgeon with a reconstructive challenge, especially when there is full-thickness loss of cartilage. Historically, this would have necessitated a two-stage pedicle procedure or involved multiple surgical sites on the face to achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance. To preserve normal auricular contours, various reconstruction options have been previously described,1–7 including interpolation flaps and free cartilage grafts harvested from the contralateral or ipsilateral ear. Although these procedures can reliably restore ear contour and integrity, they require several stages and do so at a cost of additional wounds. Wedge resection of the ear will decrease the vertical height of the ear and has the potential to create a cupped appearance.2 The use of a cartilage hinge flap is a novel reconstruction option, allowing the physician to perform a one-stage procedure using only one facial operative site. The hinge concept allows for some viable perichondrium to be maintained, fills in the defect, maintains the natural rim contour, and precludes the need to harvest cartilage from another area.

Publication Title

Dermatologic Surgery

Volume

36

Issue

10

First Page

1592

Last Page

1595

PubMed ID

21053418

Comments

This article was published in Dermatologic Surgery, Volume 36, Issue 10, October 2010, Pages 1592-5.

The published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1524-4725.2010.01689.x

Copyright © 2010 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.

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