EXPERIENCE IN SURGICAL CORRECTION OF THE AURICLE IN TRAUMATIC DEFECTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/2414-4533.2026.1.16069Keywords:
auricle, trauma, defect, reconstruction, surgical interventionAbstract
The aim of the work: to systematise differentiated approaches to the surgical treatment of patients with partial post-traumatic defects of the auricle.
Materials and Methods. We analysed treatment outcomes in 26 patients with auricular injuries aged 18 to 64 years, including 19 men (73.1 %) and 7 women (26.9 %). In 5 patients (19.2 %), the auricular defect was surgically corrected using local tissue flaps of the auricle itself. In 11 patients (42.3 %), a large peripheral defect involving the upper third of the auricle was observed; while in 8 patients (30.8 %) – a peripheral defect involving the middle third; and in 2 patients (7.7 %) - a peripheral defect involving the lower third of the auricle. All injuries were unilateral.
Results. In all cases, the procedure began with careful preoperative assessment and analysis of the defect. Both the size of the defect and its relationship to the helix, antihelix, concha, and lobule were evaluated. Special attention was given to the condition of the surrounding tissues. Preoperative targeted photographs of the auricle were taken in all cases. Beyond their legal and scientific value, the photographs enabled a more thoughtful assessment of the pathology and facilitated planning of its correction.
Conclusions. The ear is prone to injury due to its lateral position on the head, with the upper third being most commonly affected. Most reconstructive ear surgeries in traumatic cases required costal cartilage autografts and a postauricular flap for coverage. The use of cartilage autografts, coverage with temporoparietal fascia, and skin grafting constitute our reconstructive method for repairing defects of the upper and middle thirds of the auricle.
Received: 01.10.2025 | Revised: 09.01.2026 | Accepted: 19.02.2026
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