Preliminary Analysis on Characteristics of Rib Cartilage Calcification in Patients With Congenital Microtia

Autogenous rib cartilage graft procedure for microtia reconstruction has been adopted as the most standardized current method. But calcification would make it difficult for cartilage harvesting and ear framework sculpting. The objective of this study was to explore the rate, degree, and pattern of rib cartilage calcification in microtia and to guide rib cartilage harvesting and the optimal timing of auricular reconstruction. A retrospective study was performed with the imaging data from 320 consecutive patients who received a preoperative 3-dimensional chest computed tomography (CT). Overall, calcification rate of cartilages in female patients was higher than male's (P  0.05). So merely the age increasing is not the contradiction for cartilage harvesting, as long as the authors effectively evaluate the condition of rib cartilage before operation. Rib cartilages serve as the key material in auricular framework sculpting and determine the feasibility and outcomes of the surgery. So CT examinations for preoperative evaluation of rib cartilage could be a useful method for planning microtia reconstruction. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Haiyue Jiang, PhD, Department of Auricular Reconstruction, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Badachu Road 33, 100144 Beijing, China; E-mail: jianghaiyue_psh@163.com Received 29 November, 2017 Accepted 14 July, 2018 This study was supported by the Capital Characteristic Clinic Project (No Z141107002514048) and the Capital Characteristic Clinic Project (No Z151100004015185). The authors report no conflicts of interest. © 2018 by Mutaz B. Habal, MD.

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