Reconstruction of the external auditory canal using full-thickness rolled-up skin graft after lateral temporal bone resection for T1 and T2 external auditory canal cancer.

Abstract Objective To present our results of the external auditory canal (EAC) reconstruction procedure using rolled-up full-thickness skin graft with tympanoplasty after lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) for early-stage EAC carcinoma. Patients and Methods A retrospective review of 15 patients who had undergone LTBR with reconstruction of the EAC for T1 and T2 EAC cancer between 2016 and 2020. Results Postoperative mean air-bone gap was 30.7 decibel hearing level. Although a few patients experienced chronic granulation, persistent otorrhea, and/or laterization of the tympanic membrane, most patients showed no serious complications related to the EAC reconstruction. Conclusion EAC reconstruction using a full-thickness skin graft in combination with tympanoplasty is useful for minimizing the hearing loss, maintaining the cosmetic appearance, and facilitating the observation into the ear cavity.