Three-stage functional ear reconstruction for microtia with congenital aural stenosis

Objective To discuss the clinical results of three-stage functional ear reconstruction for microtia with congenital aural stenosis (CAS). Methods From September 2007 to June 2017, 53 cases of microtia with CAS underwent all three-stage functional ear reconstruction, and 445 cases of microtia underwent two stage ear reconstruction without meatoplasty at the same periods. First-stage of three-stage functional ear reconstruction: it was similar to Nagata technique. The crus of helix could not be too long, since we needed the space for the next meatoplasty. Second-stage: it was a modified meatoplasty with endoaural-conchal incision, in which two local rotation flaps and a transposition split-thickness scalp flap were used to widen the stenotic external auditory canal (EAC) and reconstructed the tympanic membrane. Third-stage: it was a modified technique for firm elevation of the reconstructed auricle by using the retro-auricular fascial flap wrapping a porous polyethylene (Medpor) wedge or stored cartilage as the strut. If the patient showed EAC cholesteatoma or infection, we could do the meatoplasty at the first stage. If the patient had completed ear reconstruction, meatoplasty could be done at the third stage. Results 53 cases underwent all three-stage functional ear reconstruction. There were 41 cases (77.4%) obtaining serviceable hearing. The complication rate of meatoplasty was 1.89% and the complication rate of ear reconstruction was 5.66%. Among the 445 cases of microtia treated with two stage ear reconstruction without meatoplasty, the complication rate of ear reconstruction was 9.43%. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Our novel three-stage functional ear reconstruction is a feasible strategy for microtia with CAS. The patients can obtain satisfactory auricle and serviceable hearing. The results are stable and can improve the life quality in both aesthetics and hearing function. Key words: Microtia; Stricture of external auditory canal; Reconstruction