Objective: To evaluate the results of one-stage surgical repair of the meatal skin defect in patients with long-lasting osteoradionecrosis of the outer ear canal, using a postauricular, inferiorly pedicled skin flap. All patients were also treated with hyperbaric oxygen both pre- and post-operatively.Methods: A prospective study evaluating the results of a one-stage surgical procedure to repair the meatal skin defect in five patients with osteoradionecrosis of the outer ear canal. All patients were treated with hyperbaric oxygen both pre- and post-operatively.Results: In four of the five patients, intact canal skin was achieved after surgery and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. One patient needed a second operation to cover a small remaining area of bare bone. In one patient, wound healing was unsatisfactory and an area of bare bone remained.Conclusion: In cases of osteoradionecrosis of the outer ear canal, the skin defect can be repaired with an inferiorly pedicled skin flap. Although not yet scientifically proven, the peri-operative application of hyperbaric oxygen may be of additional value to improve wound healing in areas of compromised tissue.

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doi.org/10.1017/S0022215109990612, hdl.handle.net/1765/25177
Journal of Laryngology and Otology
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Dumans, A., van der Huls, M., Sterk, W., Feenstra, L., & Metselaar, M. (2009). Osteoradionecrosis of tympanic bone: Reconstruction of outer ear canal with pedicled skin flap, combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, in five patients. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 123(10), 1114–1119. doi:10.1017/S0022215109990612