External ear reconstruction with autogenous rib cartilage.

For more than 30 years, children born without an ear or with deformities have had their defects corrected by ear reconstruction with autogenous rib cartilage graft. Despite the common use of this procedure, total ear reconstruction continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing the reconstructive surgical team. In this article, plastic surgical nurses are provided crucial information regarding anatomy and physiology, assessment, the surgical procedure, and perioperative patient care.