The Study of Using 3D Scan Technique to Evaluate the Expanding Method of Ear Reconstruction Before Operation

PURPOSE: Three-dimensional scanning technology was used to measure the expansion of the area and size of auricular skin to meet the normal standard of the external ear before ear reconstruction among microtia patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The skin surface area of microtia patients was measured by three-dimensional scanner: the surface area (S), vertical length (A), vertical curve length (B), transverse length (C), transverse curve length data (D), and then taking the average. Corresponding measurements in healthy adults were also obtained: surface area (S(0)), the vertical curve length (B(0)), and transverse curve length (D(0)) of the normal external ear were obtained by scanning normal adult male ears with reference to the range of the vertical length and the transverse straight length. Mean surface area (S and S(0)), vertical curve length (B and B(0)), and transverse curve length (D and D(0)) were compared between microtia patients and healthy adults. RESULTS: The surface area, vertical curve length, and transverse curve length were statistically significantly higher among healthy adults. CONCLUSIONS: With the amount of expanded water injection of 120–130 ml, the expanded skin still does not reach the standard of the normal external ear in terms of skin surface area and size. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.