The Umbilicus as External Auditory Canal for Reconstruction of a Large Maxillofacial Defect

Paraumbilical perforator flap for reconstruction of the external auditory meatus: A case report

“…However, the thickness of local flaps makes it difficult to provide adequate size of the cavity, and their trap door deformity causes restenosis . Also, these flaps are usually not suitable/available for large defect reconstruction after oncologic resection . With regards to free flaps, Heijningen et al described using the rectus abdominus myocutaneous free flap with the umbilicus for reconstruction of the external auditory canal after wide resection .…”

“…Also, these flaps are usually not suitable/available for large defect reconstruction after oncologic resection . With regards to free flaps, Heijningen et al described using the rectus abdominus myocutaneous free flap with the umbilicus for reconstruction of the external auditory canal after wide resection . The main disadvantage of these myocutaneous flaps is donor site morbidity .…”

“…Reconstruction is necessary to prevent hearing loss and chronic middle ear infection and also to enable the release of cerumen . There are only a few reported reconstructive options, mostly described for cases of congenital aural atresia, ranging from healing by secondary intention, skin grafts, local flaps to free flaps …”

A new method for selecting auricle positions in skull base reconstruction for temporal bone cancer

“…[1][2][3][4][5] In advanced cases, the subtotal temporal bone-including the lateral skull base-has been resected and free tissue transfer is performed as a reconstructive procedure due to the large surgical defect. 6 Although many studies reported that the entire ear auricle was resected together with temporal bone in advanced temporal bone carcinoma cases, [6][7][8][9] we attempted to preserve as much of the auricle as possible from a cosmetic and functional perspective. Natural auricles have multiple advantages, including their natural appearance and usefulness for wearing masks or glasses.…”

“…However, the insufficiency of surgical resection margins needs to be avoided, and the operative indication for partial auriculectomy also should be carefully considered. In previous cases in which surgical resection was performed, including total auriculectomy, the position of the remaining auricle was not considered, 7,8 and facial appearance was reconstructed with an auricular prosthesis in some cases. 6,9,10 Partial auriculectomy represents a unique challenge to reconstructive surgeons.…”