Framework Changes Using Costal Cartilage for Microtia Reconstruction

OBJECTIVE: Since a known growth-of-cartilage framework is used for reconstruction of microtia under the Brent technique, we set out to address the behavior of the framework under the Nagata technique. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of costal cartilage auricular reconstruction procedures. PATIENTS: A total of 28 patients who underwent costal cartilage auricular reconstruction between 1998 and 2005. INTERVENTIONS: Reconstruction of microtia using the 2-stage Nagata technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The parameters checked were patient age at the time of reconstruction, follow-up time, and measurements of the auricular framework height and width both at the time of implantation (represented by the template size) and at final follow-up. RESULTS: A significant change in auricular height and width was observed. The height decreased by 3.1%, while the width increased by 4.0%. This change was not influenced by follow-up time. CONCLUSIONS: Auricular reconstruction with the Nagata technique was undertaken when the patients were aged 9 to 10 years, when the auricle had reached nearly its final size. According to our patient sample, it is our opinion that a policy change is unjustifiable.