Costal Cartilage Assessment in Surgical Timing of Microtia Reconstruction

Abstract

3D rib-cage CT for preoperative measurement of costal cartilage could be a useful method for planning microtia reconstruction. According to our study, the amount of costal cartilage of almost all 6-year-old microtia patients is enough for ear reconstruction. So age 6 years is the optimal timing of auricular reconstruction with tissue-expanding method.