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Clinical Results of Ear Elevations in Patients with Microtia Using Skin Grafts from Three Donor Sites: A Retrospective Study

  • Original Article
  • Face and Neck Surgery
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Abstract

Background

Skin grafts, frequently used for ear elevation in ear reconstructions, may suffer from color mismatches, scar hypertrophy, secondary contraction, and auricular sulcus depth differences. To determine the most suitable donor area, we compared the contralateral postauricular area, groin, and scalp as potential donor sites.

Methods

Since 2008, we have used three donor sites for obtaining skin grafts used in ear reconstructions. Full-thickness groin skin, split-thickness grafts from the scalp, and contralateral postauricular and groin composite full-thickness skin grafts were used in 202, 231, and 195 patients, respectively. Photographic assessments were used to assess color matching, sulcus depth, cranioauricular angle symmetry, and flatness of the skin grafts; surgical complications were also documented.

Results

Among the three donor sites, there were no significant differences in the color matching scores (p = 0.456). The scalp donor scores had significantly lower mean scores for sulcus depth and symmetry and for graft flatness scores than the other donor sites. The assessment scores between the groin and postauricular donor groups were similar. Each donor site was associated with some surgical complications. However, postauricular skin, when combined with groin skin, demonstrated the best cosmetic results and the fewest complications.

Conclusion

All three donor sites are viable options for skin graft donor sites in ear elevation surgeries. Although the advantages and disadvantages of each site should be explained to the patient, the ultimate donor site selection may be determined according to patient and surgeon preferences.

Level of Evidence IV

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 639, Zhi Zao Ju Rd., Shanghai, 200011, China

    Datao Li, Ruhong Zhang, Qun Zhang, Zhicheng Xu, Feng Xu, Yiyuan Li & Xia Chen

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  1. Datao Li
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  2. Ruhong Zhang
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  3. Qun Zhang
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  4. Zhicheng Xu
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  5. Feng Xu
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  6. Yiyuan Li
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  7. Xia Chen
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Correspondence to Ruhong Zhang.

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The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Ethical Approval

The study design was approved by the appropriate ethics review board. The operations were performed by the same doctor, and the study followed the Declaration of Helsinki for ethical.

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All study participants provided informed consent.

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Li, D., Zhang, R., Zhang, Q. et al. Clinical Results of Ear Elevations in Patients with Microtia Using Skin Grafts from Three Donor Sites: A Retrospective Study. Aesth Plast Surg 44, 1545–1552 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-020-01711-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-020-01711-4

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