Gh. Wilkes et Jf. Wolfaardt, OSSEOINTEGRATED ALLOPLASTIC VERSUS AUTOGENOUS EAR RECONSTRUCTION - CRITERIA FOR TREATMENT SELECTION, Plastic and reconstructive surgery, 93(5), 1994, pp. 967-979
Fifty-five patients with major ear deformities were reconstructed duri
ng the period 1982-1993 with autogenous tissue. Fourteen patients were
reconstructed with osseointegrated auricular prostheses during the pe
riod 1989-1993. Both procedures were done at the same institution by t
he same surgeon. The advantages and disadvantages of each approach wer
e considered, and our criteria for treatment selection were developed.
Our main indications for autogenous reconstruction include classical
microtia, relatively normal lower one-third of the ear, patient prefer
ence, and less compliant patients. The main indications for osseointeg
rated alloplastic reconstruction include following major cancer extirp
ation, poor local tissue, absence of the lower half of the ear, salvag
e following unsuccessful autogenous reconstruction, and poor operative
risks. Because of their success, osseointegrated auricular reconstruc
tions should be added to the armamentarium of the reconstructive surge
on.