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Composite auricular graft in laryngeal reconstruction
Author(s) -
Morgenstein Karl M.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-197205000-00011
Subject(s) - perichondrium , medicine , auricle , thyroid cartilage , larynx , cartilage , lumen (anatomy) , surgery , stenosis , anatomy , airway , tracheal stenosis , radiology
When injury to the larynx and/or trachea results in significant loss of tissue, primary closure may predispose to stenosis. Reconstruction of the airway should include the addition of cartilage to maintain the lumen as well as a replacement for interior mucoperichondrium and exterior skin. The auricle provides an excellent source for a composite graft consisting of cartilage with its attached skin on one side and perichondrium on the other. A case is presented in which a 2 cm. defect was successfully closed with such a composite graft. The patient sustained a self‐inflicted wound which removed the lower portion of the thyroid cartilage in the midline, the anterior third of the cricoid cartilage and the anterior third of the first tracheal lumen. Several weeks later a composite graft was taken from the auricle, and a three‐layer closure was accomplished. After an initial period of cyanosis, the graft remained viable and survived in toto . Long term follow‐up showed survival of the graft, normal laryngeal function and normal tracheal diameter.