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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2013; 46(03): 518-520
DOI: 10.4103/0970-0358.121999
Original Article
Association of Plastic Surgeons of India

Dental impression compound as an effective splint for maintenance of ear elevation in microtia reconstruction

Authors

  • Padam Singh Bhandari

    Departments of Burns, Plastic, Maxillofacial and Micro-Vascular Surgery, Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India

  • Sukhbir Singh

    Kamal Hospital, Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
07 October 2019 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Ear projection is an important goal to be achieved after stage two (ear elevation) in cases of microtia. This is a retrospective study conducted on patients with microtia who underwent staged reconstruction for the same. This study has been carried out over a period of 10 years with 211 patients. Dental impression compound was used as a splint after ear elevation and split skin grafting to maintain the projection of the ear. Projection of the ear was measured both pre- and post-procedure and at every follow-up using goniometer and photographic documentation was simultaneously done. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test. Patients were reviewed every month and splint was continued until 6 months post-surgery. The splint was very effective in maintaining the ear projection of more than 20° even after prolonged follow-up of upto 2 years. There were no complications associated with the splint application or prolonged use.

KEY WORDS

Ear elevation - splint - microtia
 
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