Cover image

The anatomy of the outer ear is complex, so the results of surgical reconstruction after an injury can be cosmetically disappointing. In select cases, such as for this 11-year-old boy, the native cartilaginous framework of the ear segment can be used in reconstruction.

The child was bitten on the year by the family dog, resulting in an avulsion injury to the left auricle and complete amputation of the outer ear. The amputated ear segment was preserved in a bag of ice, and the decision was made to de-skin the ear segment, leaving the perichondrium in place for lamination via posterior auricular pocket formation in the first stage of a 2-stage ear reconstruction.

These images from "Two-Stage Pediatric Ear Reconstruction Using Preserved Native Cartilage After a Dog Bite" (doi: 10.31486/toj.22.0045) show (clockwise from top left) the initial injury, placement of the prelaminated native ear cartilage used for the repair, anterior view of the helical rim showing suture wrapped around the edge of the helix, and the ear reconstruction at 2 weeks postoperatively.