Ear reconstruction. Tridimensionality and deception

Fossa and antihelix regions of the ear are often the sites of squamous cell carcinomas. A good reconstruction of these regions has to take into account tridimensionality of both cartilaginous frame and skin covering. The gold standard for re-construction of these structures involves harvesting of a cartilage graft (usually from posterior concha) and turning over of a skin flap to cover the structures. If cartilage is not involved, the use of skin grafts alone is adequate.Whenever an important reconstruction is not operable because of patient’s general condition, fiction and optical illusion can come to our aid. We reported a case report of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma occupying almost the entire antihelix (crura) and triangular fossa. Our technique allowed us to create a fake ear, retaining, at first glance, the same structures (helix, hollow, triangular fossa) of original one. At the same time, this technique allowed us to make an aesthetically acceptable reconstruction in 15 minutes in a patient who could not stand a longer or more complex surgery. Complete healing occurred in 14 days without complications and with complete patient satisfaction.