20-MHZ ULTRASONOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF SK IN AND CARTILAGE THICKNESS IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL AND RECONSTRUCTED EXTERNAL EARS

Background: The surgical reconstruction of the external ear according to Weerda is a proven method to correct malformed or amputated auricle s. Our goal was to test the usefulness of high-frequency ultrasound in measurement of layer-thickness of auricles. Method: Using a 20-MHz B- Mode ultrasonographic method (Dermascan C, adn-Medizintechnik, Hamm, G ermany) we measured the thickness of skin and cartilage layers in pati ents with normal auricles (n=47) and reconstructed auricles (n=15) in vivo. Results: The average thickness of the cutis of normal auricles w as 0.8 mm, the subcutis and the cartilage layer 0.6 mm thick on averag e. In reconstructed auricles, the thickness of the cutis averaged 1.0 mm, the subcutis 1.1 mm, and the cartilage layer (to the extent that i t could be visualized) 3.0 mm. Discussion: The results demonstrate a g ood approximation of the thicknesses of the different layers (cutis an d subcutaneous tissue) in reconstructed and natural external ears, but the cartilage of the reconstructed auricles is clearly thicker. Concl usions: The 20-MHz B-Mode ultrasound is suitable for examining the met hods of plastic surgery in malformed auricles. Based on the demonstrat ed results, surgical modifications should be assessed in future.