Ear reconstruction after cancer excision.

Cancers which involve the external ear are difficult to eradicate and recur and develop metastases more often than tumours in other areas of the skin. The anatomy of the external ear presents a difficult reconstructive challenge so that various surgical techniques have been described for its reconstruction, but many of these are complex procedures and are inappropriate in the older population suffering from skin tumours. We carried out a retrospective study of the patient who underwent ear reconstruction after cancer excision analyzing the data concerning the type of cancer, the surgical procedures and the follow up. We conclude that all major defects involving one-quarter or more of the auricle can be repaired with a combination of skin flaps and a chondrocutaneous flap from the affected auricle. Sentinel node biopsy may be a useful tool in diagnosing early lymphatic spread.