Partial Auriculotomy for Exposure of Tumors of the External Auditory Meatus and Conchal Bowl

Obtaining Access to Tumors of the Conchal Bowl and External Auditory Canal Via Postauricular Sulcus Incision

“…2 Uribe and colleagues 3 uniquely described making a full thickness incision above and below the tragus with placement of temporary traction sutures to medially retract the tragus and thus provide improved access to the conchal bowl; however, depending on the size and depth of the tumor, this technique may still fall short. Massey and colleagues 2 articulated successful access to a deep conchal bowl tumor during MMS by performing a partial auriculectomy via a full-thickness incision beginning preauricularly and extending to the antihelix lateral to the clinical tumor. By approaching the tumor via the retro-auricular approach, there is the added benefit of hiding the primary incision behind the ear, which allows for near complete maintenance of anterior architecture, contour, and cosmesis (Figure 4 ) .…”

External ear carcinoma: evaluation of surgical and reconstructive management with postauricular island flap

“…In patients afflicted with carcinoma of the auricular concha together with EAC involvement, it is advisable to combine the above-mentioned method with the use of a retroauricular island flap to restore the cavum concha and even partially EAC. On the other hand, the use of partial auriculectomy to create proper access to the tumour, advocated by other authors, carries a risk of insufficient blood supply (from the inferior pedicle) for the ear to survive [1].…”

“…Cancers of the external ear constitute about 5.5 % of all skin cancers [1]. The aggressiveness of these malignancies increases as they spread from the conchal bowl into the external auditory canal (EAC).…”

“…Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a common technique to facilitate the removal of tumours in this location [3,19]. Some authors reported modifications of surgical approaches to improve visualization and access to these lesions [1].…”

Surface Anatomy of the Ear

“…9 Involvement of the external auditory meatus, which may be present in up to one-third of patients with an NMSC on the auricle, carries a worse prognosis. 10 This significance is compounded when patients are referred without a biopsy-proven diagnosis. 11 Table 1.…”