Preoperative CT Measurements and Computer-assisted Design in Auricular Reconstruction for Microtia.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) reconstruction in rib cartilages harvest and auricular reconstruction.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 105 patients with microtia who underwent auricular reconstruction in our department, including 53 controls. All patients underwent chest CT scans and 52 patients in the CT group underwent rib cartilage reconstruction simultaneously. All patients' sex, age, height, and body weight were reviewed. Preoperative CT measurements included the length and width of the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth rib cartilages. Operative measurements included the number, amount, length and width of the costal cartilages harvested, operation time, and the amount of bleeding.

Results: There was no significant difference in the preoperative and operative measurements of the seventh rib. The mean age, height, and weight of the 3D CT group were significantly less than the control group. Compared with the control group, the costicartilage taken in the 3D CT group was significantly shorter in length, but there was no significant difference in the number of ribs taken. The operation time of the 3D CT group was less than the control group.

Conclusions: Reconstructive 3D CT provides vivid and accurate data of costochondral volume, and is valuable for surgical timing and cartilage sculpting. With the aid of the 3D CT measurements, surgeons can make an individualized surgical planning. Unnecessary harvest of rib cartilage and surgical time are avoided by having a throughout plan before operation.