A Temporoparietal Fascia Pocket Method in Elevation of Reconstructed Auricle for Microtia

BACKGROUND:In two-stage procedures for reconstruction of microtia, an axial flap of temporoparietal fascia is widely used to cover the costal cartilage blocks placed behind the framework. Although a temporoparietal fascia flap is undoubtedly reliable, use of the flap is associated with some morbidity and comes at the expense of the option for salvage surgery. METHODS:The authors devised a simplified procedure for covering the cartilage blocks by creating a pocket in the postauricular temporoparietal fascia. In this procedure, the constructed auricle is elevated from the head superficially to the temporoparietal fascia, and a pocket is created under the temporoparietal fascia and the capsule of the auricle framework. Then, cartilage blocks are inserted into the pocket and fixed. A total of 38 reconstructed ears in 38 patients with microtia ranging in age from 9 to 19 years were elevated using the authors’ method from 2002 to 2014 and followed for at least 5 months. To evaluate the long-term stability of the method, two-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05) was carried out to analyze the effect on the projection angles of the method (an axial temporoparietal fascia flap method versus a temporoparietal fascia pocket method) over long-term follow-up. RESULTS:Good projection of the auricles and creation of well-defined temporoauricular sulci were achieved. Furthermore, the sulci had a tendency to hold their steep profile over a long period. CONCLUSIONS:The temporoparietal fascia pocket method is simple but produces superior results. Moreover, pocket creation is less invasive and has the benefit of sparing temporoparietal fascia flap elevation. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Therapeutic, IV.