Scars after total ear reconstruction with porous polyethylene: The patients' perspective

Background: Total ear reconstruction with porous polyethylene implants leads to three typical skin scars: a scalp scar from harvesting the temporoparietal fascia flap as well as a groin scar and a contralateral postauricular scar from harvesting full-thickness skin grafts. This study evaluates the annoyance of these scars from the patients' perspective. Methods: Fifteen patients received structured questionnaires covering the aesthetical outcome and daily impairment by the three scar types, as well as validated questionnaires measuring health-related quality of life. Results: The ear reconstruction had raised the health-related quality of life in 14 patients. The scalp and groin scars were rated "satisfactory," and the postauricular scar was "good" on an average. In contrast to the postauricular scar, the annoyance by scalp and groin scars was substantial: Half of the patients had sensation disorders on the scalp or groin. The scalp scar impaired a third of the patients wearing a desired hairstyle and the groin scar a third of the patients wearing swimsuits. A fifth of the patients experienced feelings of shame in the public due to the scalp and groin scars. Conclusions: While not preventing the beneficial effect of ear reconstruction on patients' health-related quality of life, scalp and groin scars are annoying for a relevant percentage of the patients. Therefore, the temporoparietal fascia flap should be harvested with the smallest incision possible, full-thickness skin grafts from the groin should be harvested as small as possible, and harvesting areas for full-thickness skin grafts other than the groin should be evaluated. Level of Evidence: III. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.