Surgical concepts for reconstruction of the auricle. History and current state of the art.

We compiled and evaluated the world literature on auricular reconstruction, for a total of over 400 publications, more than 200 authors, and over 3,300 reported cases. We found that partial reconstructions were already performed as early as 600 BC; total reconstructions were still considered impracticable in 1830. But since 1891, more than 40 different cartilaginous, osseous, and alloplastic frame materials have been described.