• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.287-290
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• 2018

Tumoral calcinosis is a condition characterized by deposition of calcium salts in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, commonly found around the joints. However, tumoral calcinosis of the auricle is extremely rare. We present the case of a 13-year-old boy with tumoral calcinosis of the helix of the ear auricle. A 13-year-old boy presented with a 10-year history of an enlarging mass on the left auricle. The mass was hard, non-tender, and non-compressible. The patient had no history of trauma. Complete surgical excision and pathological examination of the specimen was performed. The final diagnosis of the excised mass was tumoral calcinosis. After 9 months of follow-up, there were no signs of recurrence of the tumor and the patient was satisfied with the surgical results. Tumoral calcinosis of the auricle is extremely rare and may be misdiagnosed as other tumors. Pathological examination is essential for definitive diagnosis and complete surgical excision should be considered as the treatment of choice.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.660-662
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• 2009

Purpose: There are several modalities to reattach the amputated auricle. Microvascular replantation can achieve the best outcome, but technically difficult. Conventional composite graft is technically easy, but uniformly unsuccessful. Our successful experience of reattachment using postauricular subcutaneous pocket is presented. Methods: The amputated tissue was placed in its anatomical position with buried sutures. The amputated part is dermabraded to remove the epidermis and outer layer of dermis(Fig. 1, Center, left). Postauricular skin flap was then raised and the reattached dermabraded ear was buried beneath the flap(Fig. 1, Center, right). Two weeks after the original surgery, the buried ear was removed from its pocket (Fig. 1, Below, left). Results: The ear was reepithelialized spontaneously in 7 days. At 3 months, the reattached ear has satisfactory appearance without contour deformity(Fig. 1, Below, right). Conclusion: This technique provides increase in contact surface between the amputated segment and the surrounding tissues which supply blood, serum, oxygen and nutrients, maximizing the probability of "take". Minimally injured dermis can be healed from spontaneous reepithelialization and provides minimal contour deformity. We have used this non-microsurgical technique with very satisfying outcome.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2014

Background: Dermoid cysts of the auricular area are extremely rare. We report on six cases of auricular dermoid and epidermoid cyst, and differentiate dermoid cyst from epidermal cyst along with a review of the literature. Methods: Three cases involved a gradually enlarging mass of the superior and anterior aspect of the helix of their ear. Another two cases were located in the posterior aspect of the ear. Results: During the operation, a tumor was found just under the skin, not fixed mastoid or adjacent cartilage. Histologically, all specimens contained desquamated squamous epithelium and keratin in the lumen. However, two cases of posterior masses showed the presence of adnexal structures and three cases did not. Conclusion: A key in diagnosis of the dermoid cyst is the presence of adnexal structures. If the wall does not bear adnexal structures, the term epidermoid or keratin cyst is applied. Acquired cysts are most commonly of traumatic origin and result from an implantation or downward displacement of an epidermal fragment. Finally, the congenital epidermoid cyst grew at the upper part of the auricle; however, the dermoid cyst grew at the lower and posterior part of the auricle.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.112-116
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• 2005

The auricle is easy to be amputated in the face due to its protruding position. When facial parts are amputated, the mechanism of injury usually involves some form of avulsion, which damages these fragile vessels over a distance and renders them unsuitable for anastomosis. Replantation of the ear remains a challenging problem because of the tiny vessels and the paucity of adequate veins for anastomosis. Reattachment as a composite graft of the total or subtotal amputated ear is unreliable. Microsurgical replantation can be performed in a minority of cases because of technical difficulties and long operation time. In this article, the authors report two case of a successful ear replantation of completely amputated auricle. Only one artery and one vein were anastomosed in first case. In the other case one artery was anastomosed without vein. Instead of venous repair, multiple incision was done with leech application therapy. and the outcome was successful. In spite of the technical difficulties and long operation time, microsurgical replantation of amputated ear is better than other reconstructive method or reattachment without microsurgery.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.115-118
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• 2021

Othematoma is a condition in which blood collects beneath the perichondral layer of the pinna. Recurrent auricular hematoma can be a challenging medical problem, with complications resulting in ear deformity, therefore, appropriate management is important. Improper treatment can result in a deformity known as 'cauliflower ear' or 'wrestler's ear.' We report a case of othematoma that was inappropriately treated and present a review of current treatment options.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.115-118
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• 2021

Othematoma is a condition in which blood collects beneath the perichondral layer of the pinna. Recurrent auricular hematoma can be a challenging medical problem, with complications resulting in ear deformity, therefore, appropriate management is important. Improper treatment can result in a deformity known as 'cauliflower ear' or 'wrestler's ear.' We report a case of othematoma that was inappropriately treated and present a review of current treatment options.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.209-213
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• 2013

Background A cartilage wedge block and covering flap are standard procedures for firm elevation of the ear in microtia correction. However, using costal cartilage for elevation of the reconstructed auricle can be insufficient, and the fixed cartilage wedge block may be absorbed or may slip out. Furthermore, elevating covering flaps is time-consuming and uses up fascia, a potential source of reconstruction material. Therefore, we propose an innovative method using autologous onlay rib bone graft for auricular elevation of microtia. Methods From February 1995 to August 2012, 77 patients received a first stage operation with a rib cartilage framework graft. In the second stage operation, a small full thickness of rib bone was harvested through the previous donor scar. The bihalved rib bone was inserted into the subperiosteal pocket beneath the cartilage framework. Results The follow-up time ranged from 1 month to 17 years, with a mean of 3 years. All of the patients sustained the elevation of their ears very well during the follow-up period. Donor site problems, except for hypertrophic scars, were not observed. Surgery-related complications, specifically skin necrosis, infection, or hematoma, occurred in 4 cases. Conclusions Onlay rib bone graft used to elevate the reconstructed auricle is a more anatomically appropriate material than cartilage, due to the bone-to-bone contact between the bone graft and the temporal bone. Postoperative minor correction of the elevation degree is straightforward and the skin graft survives better. Therefore, reconstructed auricle elevation using onlay rib bone graft is a useful and valuable method.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-42
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• 2021

Schwannomas are benign tumors of neuroectodermal origin and can be found in any part of the body. Although schwannomas are common in the head and neck region, they are rare in the auricle. Auricular schwannomas are rarely symptomatic but the mass itself or a surgical procedure to remove it may disrupt the complicated structure of the auricle. We report a rare case of auricular schwannoma with a literature review and describe the surgical technique used in this case.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.210-213
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• 2019

The auricle is a three-dimensional cartilaginous frame covered with thin overlying skin. Due to its complex features, reconstructing helical rim defects after the excision of an auricular mass is challenging. Shortage of subcutaneous tissue and the presence of a tightly bound epithelium further hamper the primary closure of lateral (anterior) auricular skin defects. We present herein a case in which we used a helical rim advancement flap along with an additional postauricular skin flap. We achieved a satisfactory esthetic result with minimal loss of helical diameter and a low risk of flap necrosis by preserving the vascular network of the flap. This technique is less traumatic and will facilitate faster healing as well as improved patient recovery.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.210-213
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• 2019

The auricle is a three-dimensional cartilaginous frame covered with thin overlying skin. Due to its complex features, reconstructing helical rim defects after the excision of an auricular mass is challenging. Shortage of subcutaneous tissue and the presence of a tightly bound epithelium further hamper the primary closure of lateral (anterior) auricular skin defects. We present herein a case in which we used a helical rim advancement flap along with an additional postauricular skin flap. We achieved a satisfactory esthetic result with minimal loss of helical diameter and a low risk of flap necrosis by preserving the vascular network of the flap. This technique is less traumatic and will facilitate faster healing as well as improved patient recovery.