CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2012; 39(04): 323-328
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2012.39.4.323
Original Article

Large Auricular Chondrocutaneous Composite Graft for Nasal Alar and Columellar Reconstruction

Daegu Son
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
,
Minho Kwak
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
,
Sangho Yun
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
,
Hyeonjung Yeo
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
,
Junhyung Kim
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
,
Kihwan Han
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
› Author Affiliations

Background Among the various methods for correcting nasal deformity, the composite graft is suitable for the inner and outer reconstruction of the nose in a single stage. In this article, we present our technique for reconstructing the ala and columella using the auricular chondrocutaneous composite graft.

Methods From 2004 to 2011, 15 cases of alar and 2 cases of columellar reconstruction employing the chondrocutaneous composite graft were studied, all followed up for 3 to 24 months (average, 13.5 months). All of the patients were reviewed retrospectively for the demographics, graft size, selection of the donor site and outcomes including morbidity and complications.

Results The reasons for the deformity were burn scar (n=7), traumatic scar (n=4), smallpox scar (n=4), basal cell carcinoma defect (n=1), and scar contracture (n=1) from implant induced infection. In 5 cases of nostril stricture and 6 cases of alar defect and notching, composite grafts from the helix were used (8.9×12.5 mm). In 4 cases of retracted ala, grafts from the posterior surface of the concha were matched (5×15 mm). For the reconstruction of the columella, we harvested the graft from the posterior scapha (9×13.5 mm). Except one case with partial necrosis and delayed healing due to smoking, the grafts were successful in all of the cases and there was no deformity of the donor site.

Conclusions An alar and columellar defect can be reconstructed successfully with a relatively large composite graft without donor site morbidity. The selection of the donor site should be individualized according to the 3-dimensional configuration of the defect.

This article was presented at the 1st Research and Reconstructive forum on May 12-13, 2011 in Daejon, Korea.




Publication History

Received: 23 March 2012

Accepted: 21 May 2012

Article published online:
01 May 2022

© 2012. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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