remaining auricle by a vital skin flap. Overall, the trauma caused a nearly complete exposure of the tragus, antihelix and concha cartilage. An ear plastic was performed under local anesthesia. Firstly, the cartilaginous plane was reconstructed and subsequently the auricle was relined to the skin by applying transfixed stitches in order to promote adhesion between the cutaneous and cartilaginous planes. The patient was discharged with oral antibiotic therapy (amoxicillin/clavulanate 1 g every 8 hours for 7 days). During the follow-up visit, a small necrotic area near the tragus was removed favoring secondary intention healing. The final results were excellent: the anatomy of the ear was restored and the aesthetic result was brilliant. Figure 1 shows the injury at first ENT examination (Fig. 1A) and after reconstruction (Fig. 1B). Postreconstruction follow-up visit has been performed at day 9 (Fig. 1C) in which skin necrosis has been removed (black arrow), at day 15 (Fig. 1D) and at day 30 (Fig. 1E).
DISCUSSIONAfter auricle injury a careful evaluation of cartilage involvement, total or a partial avulsion of the pinna and presence of a vascularized pedicle is required. 1 Different classifications of auricular trauma are described in the literature based on type, location, severity and dimension of the lesion. According to Weerda classification our patient had a second degree auricle trauma, given the presence of a nutrient skin pedicle. Reconstruction can be performed via primary suture of the partially amputated auricle, given his excellent vascular supply, despite a narrow skin pedicle. 2 If a primary intention healing is not possible, the use of local flaps is often required, based on patient stability, comorbidities, severity of injury, and blood supply. 1 Our intention is to encourage the possibility to carry out a rapid but effective reconstructive procedure under local anesthesia in elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and under antiplatelet therapy. It can allow to avoid general anesthesia, longer hospitalization, and significant risks for fragile patient, even if a good patient's compliance is required.