eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Head/Neck

Ear, Reconstruction and Salvage: Follow-up

Author: Steven P Davison, DDS, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Brooke Nicole Bosley, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Otolaryngology, Georgetown University Hospital; Henry Daniel Sandel IV, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Sep 19, 2008

Outcome and Prognosis

As stated initially, postlesion excision reconstruction is a balance of size versus shape, and trauma reconstruction is a balance between vascular inflow versus outflow. All techniques herein described can provide excellent results under the coordination of experienced surgeons. Techniques exist for the salvage of most auricular acquired deformities, and satisfactory results are possible provided the many possible complications are foreseen and guarded against.

Future and Controversies

Advances in microsurgical techniques and the availability of surgeons trained in these techniques either through improved emergency transportation systems or telemedicine will make replantation a first-line option in the treatment of most major amputation injuries. In the near future, advances in transplant immunology and surgery will add the transplant of cadaveric auricles to the armamentarium of new procedures surfacing in this field. Additionally, the development of biocompatible synthetic cartilage through tissue engineering may result in the custom repair of traumatized auricular tissue with complete preservation of normal anatomy.

 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous authors, Meir Cohen, MD, MPS, and John Thomassen, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



More on Ear, Reconstruction and Salvage

Overview: Ear, Reconstruction and Salvage
Treatment: Ear, Reconstruction and Salvage
Follow-up: Ear, Reconstruction and Salvage
Multimedia: Ear, Reconstruction and Salvage
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

ear surgery, ear injury, ear reconstruction, ear salvage, reconstructive surgery, auricular defects, tumor excision, avulsion

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Steven P Davison, DDS, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, Georgetown University Medical Center
Steven P Davison, DDS, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Laryngological Rhinological and Otological Society, American Medical Association, and American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Brooke Nicole Bosley, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Otolaryngology, Georgetown University Hospital
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Henry Daniel Sandel IV, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital
Henry Daniel Sandel IV, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, and Triological Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Lawrence Ketch, MD, FAAP, FACS, Head, Program Director, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center; Chief, Pediatric Plastic, The Children's Hospital of Denver
Lawrence Ketch, MD, FAAP, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, and Plastic Surgery Research Council
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

R Edward Newsome, MD, Program Director and Chief of Plastic Surgery, Henderson Chair in Surgery, Assistant Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Tulane University School of Medicine
R Edward Newsome, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Louisiana State Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Practice Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center at Swedish Medical Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Medical Association, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Residency Program Director, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Director, Center for Advanced Surgical Aesthetics
Jorge I de la Torre, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American Burn Association, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery, American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Association for Academic Surgery, and Medical Association of the State of Alabama
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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