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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

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
› Author Affiliations
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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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