Tragal remnant flap reconstruction method for congenital tragal malformation in children

Abstract

Objective: To explore the clinical effect of tragal remnant flap for congenital tragal malformation in children.

Methods: The clinical data of 23 children with congenital tragal malformation hospitalized in our department from May 2017 to May 2021 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Congenital tragal malformation has various names and clinical manifestations. It is a kind of rare congenital auricle malformation, which can exist alone or in combination with other malformations. About 78.3% of the children with congenital tragal malformation had a natural tragal remnant flap; The rest of the children without tragal remnant flap were repaired by skin flap＆cartilage reconstruction method (SFC-RM). For the depressed deformity around the tragus, the cartilage and fascia tissue around the tragus were used for filling. The overall effect was satisfactory.

Conclusions: Most children with congenital tragal malformation have natural tragal remnant flap. Tragal remnant flap reconstruction method (TRE-RM) not only has shorter operation time, less trauma, faster healing，fewer complications, but also can obtain more natural tragus appearance.

Keywords: Accessory tragus; Congenital tragal malformation; Macrotragus; Mirror ear; Polyotia.