Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the application method and value of negative pressure drainage in ear reconstruction. Methods   Negative pressure drainage was used in ear reconstruction of 215 cases(225 ears)by soft tissue expander. After operation the amount of fluid from the negative pressure drainage was recorded everyday. All cases were followed-up for three months to two years, and the shape of the reconstructed ears was observed. Results   After expander implantation, hematoma occurred in 8 cases. After the ear reconstruction, hematoma occurred in 11 cases in various degrees. Although 11 cases had different degrees of deformation in constructed ears during follow-up period, the constructed ears in the other 204 cases showed similar size and shape to healthy ones, and the structure of the ear cavity and triangular fossa was clear. Conclusions   Negative pressure drainage is significant to decrease the incidence rate of hematoma and shape the reconstructed ears in ear reconstruction.

Key words: Negative pressure drainage； Congenital microtia； Ear reconstruction