Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Several therapeutic modalities have been cited for patients with microtia. Recently there are several reports about using cadaveric homograft cartilage for some other purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the results of auricular reconstruct-tion in 10 patients (12 ears) with congenital atresia using homograft rib cartilage from the Iranian Tissue Bank.

Methods: We enrolled 10 patients with microtia who were referred to the Imam Khomeini Hospital from September 2006 to July 2007 for auricular reconstruction. The reconstruction was performed using a pre-shaped homograft(s) of each patient's ear(s) made by the Iranian Tissue Bank from the 6th, 7th and 8th costal cartilage according to the method of Marquette. In six patients, the second stage of reconstructive surgery was performed three months after the first stage. The patients were followed regarding the ear appearance, the dimensions of cartilage and tissue reaction.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 11.08 (SD=5.57) years and the average duration of follow-up was 6.29 (SD=3.12) months. Eight cases had unilateral involvement (six right and two left), in addition to two cases of bilateral involvement. During the follow-up period, the appearance of the helix was satisfactory in 11 ears and the lobule in 10 ears. The height and width of the reconstructed auricles was an average of 1-2 millimeters different from the opposite ear. Erythema was the most common early complication. Late complications, including cartilage exposure and infection, were observed in one patient.

Conclusion: Auricular reconstruction using homograft costal cartilage in patients with microtia has promising results. The short term resorption can be ignored and significant early or late complications are infrequent.