PARTIAL DEFECTS OF THE EAR 

Defects that involve some part of the ear are known as partial defects. These defects can result from trauma, infection, and tumor or may present as birth defects. Their treatment requires proper assessment and planning before surgical correction.

External auditory meatus (passage that leads from the outside of ear to eardrum) defects are reconstructed with local flaps or full thickness skin grafts. They need postoperative stents for a longer period to keep the canal open. 

Helix or helical Rim is curved outer most part of ear. Its defects are reconstructed usually with 2 procedures, one is known as antia-buch helical advancement in which incisions are given along the curvature of helical rim above and below defect and remaining rim is advanced to cover the defect. It can be done as day care in local anesthesia or sedation. Second is a procedure known as tube pedicle in which a tube resembling a rim is made from surrounding soft tissue and transferred to the defect of the helix. This procedure requires 3 stages and is done as day care under local anesthesia and sedation. 

If defects involve the upper 1/3 or middle 1/3 of the outer ear it’s reconstructed with local flaps or helical advancement or need cartilage graft from the other ear or chest along with flap. They usually require admission and surgery done under general anesthesia.

Lower 1/3rd known as lobule (see lobule defect)

 

FAQ

1. How much time requires to reconstruct ear?

Depending on the defect, small defects of ears which do not require cartilage support are done in 1-1.5 hours, large defects requiring rib cartilage graft and flaps require longer duration around 4-5 hours. 

2. What is meant by Helix?

Helix is a curved area on the outer side of the ear giving the ear its spiral shape.

3. How much time is required for complete healing?

Sutures are removed in 5-7 days after reviewed by doctor and wounds are usually healed in 2 weeks’ time

4. How much time required for complete recovery?

Complete recovery takes 4-6 weeks depending on the procedure done. 

 

Written by :  Dr. Fahmina

Copyrights: Pakistan association of Plastic Surgeons