Management of post-traumatic ear reconstruction in a tertiary care center: a retrospective study

Abstract

The external ear, due to its prominent anatomical position and complex three-dimensional (3D) cartilaginous framework, is particularly susceptible to traumatic injuries. There has been a rising incidence of partial and total auricular deformities resulting from road traffic accidents, assaults, human and animal bites, burns, and accidental falls. These injuries are often aesthetically conspicuous and psychologically distressing. Reconstruction of post-traumatic auricular defects poses significant challenges because of the need to restore bilateral symmetry, the limited availability of adjacent skin, and the presence of the external auditory canal. Although various reconstructive techniques have been described, including the Baudet method, pocket principle, microvascular reattachment, local flaps, composite grafting, and emerging modalities such as 3D printing, no standardized treatment guidelines currently exist