RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MICROTIC EXTERNAL EAR IN ADULTS USING POROUS POLYETHYLENE IMPLANT

Autogenous rib cartilage and many other materials have been used for e xternal ear reconstruction. Although the most commonly used material i s the former, harvesting, carving and shaping are problems. Recently, porous polyethylene implants have proved to be useful for ear reconstr uction. Ten ear reconstructions were performed in adults using porous polyethylene im plants over the last two years. The patients were trea ted in two stages. First, the material was implanted and at the second stage the ear was elevated and the lobule was transposed. Both stages were performed under local anesthesia. There were three exposures whi ch were managed without implant removal. One infected implant was salv aged by irrigation with antibiotics. All reconstructions were accepted as pleasing by the patients.