Tracing the Origins of "Cauliflower Ear" and Its Earlier Names over Two Millenia.

OBJECTIVES: The post-traumatic ear deformity, known today as cauliflower ear, has been described since antiquity. It has long been associated with pugilistic sports (wrestling, boxing) as well as among the mentally ill. The aim of this study is to present the various terms used since antiquity to describe these traumatic deformations of the auricle and to trace the origin of the modern moniker "cauliflower ear." METHODS: Historical study, only based on original documentation accessed through personal libraries and universities repositories, completed with online sources and etymological dictionaries. RESULTS: We were able to identify no fewer than 39 names for the deformity. The term cauliflower ear is of relatively recent origin. It was coined in the first decade of the 20th century, initially in the popular press and subsequently adopted by the medical profession. CONCLUSION: Ironically, the deformity has only superficial resemblance to a cauliflower. The vegetable, which is part of the cabbage family, has a symmetrical and highly ordered fractal geometry with well-circumscribed excrescences. Cauliflower ear, by contrast, notably lacks symmetry and its rounded protuberances flow into one another. Although somewhat a misnomer, the term is deeply rooted in both popular and medical culture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A Laryngoscope, 131:E1315-E1321, 2021.

A guide to managing disorders of the ear pinna and canal.

This review will help you troubleshoot everything from infections and foreign bodies to trauma and neoplasm.

Modified Tragus Edge and Transmasseteric Anteroparotid Approach for Intracapsular and Condylar Neck Fractures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of protecting the facial nerve and reducing the scar visibility using a modified tragus edge and transmasseteric anteroparotid approach compared to classic preauricular approach for intracapsular and condylar neck fractures. This retrospective study included 64 patients (78 sides) who underwent surgical treatment for intracapsular or condylar neck fractures from January 2014 to June 2018. Patients were divided into the experimental group (treated via a modified tragus edge and transmasseteric anteroparotid approach), and the control group (treated via the classical preauricular approach). Therapeutic outcome assessment parameters included facial nerve injury, salivary fistulae, wound infection, restricted mouth opening, postoperative occlusion disorders, and scar visibility. In the control group, there were 3 cases of facial nerve injuries and 2 cases of salivary fistulae. One case of temporary facial nerve injury occurred in the experimental group, with complete recovery within 1 month. The scars were less visible in the experimental group than in the control group. These results suggest that a modified tragus edge and transmasseteric anteroparotid approach reduced the incidences of facial nerve injuries, minimized the scar visibility, improved exposure of the operative site and fixation of titanium screws or plates, and did not increase the frequency of other complications.

Reconstrucción postraumática de una pérdida parcial auricular / Posttraumatic reconstruction of a partial ear loss

RESUMEN Introducción: Los objetivos de la reconstrucción auricular son mantener la permeabilidad del canal auditivo externo y restaurar la forma general y la proyección. Objetivo: caracterizar un caso clínico de reconstrucción postraumática de una pérdida parcial auricular, enfatizando en la importancia de la secuencia terapéutica empleada. Presentación del caso clínico: Acude a consulta externa un paciente masculino de 26 años. Refiere haber sido tratado en el cuerpo de guardia 10 días atrás, al haber perdido un fragmento de oreja por una mordida en una riña. Al examen físico se constata la existencia de una pérdida parcial irregular de la oreja derecha. Se decide esperar tres semanas, e indicar chequeo preoperatorio. Al cabo de este tiempo se realiza el primer tiempo reconstructivo quirúrgico, con injerto autólogo de cartílago auricular de la oreja izquierda, que fue colocado en forma de "bolsillo" en la región temporal. A las tres semanas del primer tiempo quirúrgico, se realiza, bajo anestesia local, el segundo tiempo reconstructivo con la liberación de la región auricular del "bolsillo" creado, el avance de un colgajo posterior y la colocación de un injerto libre de piel. El paciente refirió una gran satisfacción por los resultados estéticos obtenidos. Principales comentarios: se empleó una secuencia terapéutica ante un defecto traumático parcial del pabellón auricular en sus tercios superior y medio. Este tipo de secuela traumática requirió el empleo de procederes quirúrgicos en varios tiempos operatorios que garantizaran un buen aporte sanguíneo de los tejidos, ausencia de tensión y adecuados resultados estéticos finales(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The aims of auricular reconstruction are to maintain the permeability of the external auditory canal and restore general shape and projection. Objective: Characterize a clinical case of posttraumatic reconstruction of a partial ear loss, highlighting the importance of the therapy sequence followed. Clinical case presentation: A male 26-year-old patient attends outpatient consultation. He reports that he was treated in the emergency service 10 days before upon having lost a section of his ear due to a bite in a fight. Physical examination reveals irregular partial loss of the right ear. It is decided to wait three weeks and indicate preoperative checkup. At the end of that period the first surgical reconstruction session is conducted, with autologous graft of auricular cartilage from the left ear, which was placed in the form of a "pocket" in the temporal region. Three weeks after the first surgical session, the second reconstruction is performed under local anesthesia, with release of the "pocket" from the auricular region, advancement of a posterior flap and placement of a free skin graft. The patient reported great satisfaction with the esthetic results obtained. Main remarks: A therapy sequence was followed in response to a partial traumatic defect of the outer ear in its upper and middle thirds. This type of traumatic sequel required the performance of surgical procedures at several operative moments, ensuring good blood supply to tissues, absence of tension and appropriate final esthetic results(AU)

Epigenetic inhibitor zebularine activates ear pinna wound closure in the mouse.

BACKGROUND: Most studies on regenerative medicine focus on cell-based therapies and transplantations. Small-molecule therapeutics, though proved effective in different medical conditions, have not been extensively investigated in regenerative research. It is known that healing potential decreases with development and developmental changes are driven by epigenetic mechanisms, which suggests epigenetic repression of regenerative capacity. METHODS: We applied zebularine, a nucleoside inhibitor of DNA methyltransferases, to stimulate the regenerative response in a model of ear pinna injury in mice. FINDINGS: We observed the regeneration of complex tissue that was manifested as improved ear hole repair in mice that received intraperitoneal injections of zebularine. Six weeks after injury, the mean hole area decreased by 83.2 ±â€¯9.4% in zebularine-treated and by 43.6 ±â€¯15.4% in control mice (p < 10-30). Combined delivery of zebularine and retinoic acid potentiated and accelerated this effect, resulting in complete ear hole closure within three weeks after injury. We found a decrease in DNA methylation and transcriptional activation of neurodevelopmental and pluripotency genes in the regenerating tissues. INTERPRETATION: This study is the first to demonstrate an effective induction of complex tissue regeneration in adult mammals using zebularine. We showed that the synergistic action of an epigenetic drug (zebularine) and a transcriptional activator (retinoic acid) could be effectively utilized to induce the regenerative response, thus delineating a novel pharmacological strategy for regeneration. The strategy was effective in the model of ear pinna regeneration in mice, but zebularine acts on different cell types, therefore, a similar approach can be tested in other tissues and organs.

Incomplete Ear Amputation.

Ear amputations are common in emergency departments as the auricle's protrusion from the lateral aspect of the head makes it particularly susceptible to trauma. Of the numerous approaches for auricle injuries, the classic methods include microsurgical replantation, primary reattachment, composite graft, retroauricular pocket principle, secondary reconstruction with rib cartilage, and methods using postauricular flap. The success of the operation depends largely on choosing the appropriate surgical procedure since many factors can influence surgical outcome. There is no 1 gold standard technique to treat the variety of auricle injuries. Inappropriate choice of surgical approach can be detrimental to subsequent reconstructive surgery. Therefore, the initial choice of optimal surgical approach is particularly important. In this article, a rare report of left subtotal ear laceration with inferior lobule pedicle by nonmicrosurgical primary reattachment was presented. The operation obtained an ideal cosmetic effect.

[Clinical application of cartilage replantation in situ from amputated ear in the reconstruction of ear in secondary stage].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of reconstruction the ear using cartilage from amputated ear. Methods: 30 patients (22 males, 8 females, age 22-50, 18 cases right ear, 12 cases left ear) with partial auricles defects received replantation of amputated ears using the cartilages from the amputated ears from January, 2013 to June, 2017.Firstly, an advancements postauricular skin flap was made.Secondly, the skin of the amputated ear was removed and its cartilage was retained, then the cartilage was sutured in situ to form cartilage bracket.Finally, the postauricular crimp scalp flap was sutured to form the helix structure.After three months, the back of the reconstructive ear was repaired with the full thickness graft to restore the cranio-auricular angle. Results: Thirty cases were applied with this method to repair the defects.The sizes of auricle contour were good, and the cranio-auricular angles were restored after skin-grafting.The ear shape was stable in 3-6 months' follow-up.VAS was used to evaluate patients satisfaction.All parameters before and after the procedure had significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions: Patients with partial auricles defects can receive replantation of amputated ears using the cartilages from the amputated ears which has the advantage of short treatment period, satisfactory clinical effect and avoidance using the costal cartilages.Its long-term effect is stable.

A two-stage inversion technique for total auricular reconstruction: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of a total amputated auricle is aesthetically demanding for otorhinolaryngology surgeons. Although various reattachment methods have been introduced since 1898, only a few have achieved satisfactory aesthetic outcomes. This study aimed to present a successful case of auricular reconstruction using a two-stage inversion technique. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient's left ear was extensively lacerated in a violent event 3 h before admission. The first-stage surgery was performed within 6 h of ischemic time. The amputated segment was prepared and trimmed carefully, and the anterior aspect of the avulsed auricle was directly sutured. The posterior skin of the ear was separated from the cartilage to close the wound. Then, using an inversion maneuver, the cartilage was pushed into a postauricular underlying muscle bed. In the second-stage surgery 27 days after the first procedure, the auricle was released and the normal ear structure was restored using full-thickness skin grafting. During a follow-up of more than 9 years, the patient showed satisfactory postoperative results in terms of cosmetic and functional outcomes of the reattached auricle. The size of his left ear was about 90% of the size of his right ear. CONCLUSIONS: The reconstruction of a total amputated auricle is challenging. The key to surgery lies in the sufficient preservation of the meticulous shape of the cartilage. The microsurgical anastomosis is a good choice only in selected cases. It is believed that the two-stage inversion technique can be a simple alternative to reconstruct the auricle in most situations when it is lacerated and contaminated.

The blastema and epimorphic regeneration in mammals.

Studying regeneration in animals where and when it occurs is inherently interesting and a challenging research topic within developmental biology. Historically, vertebrate regeneration has been investigated in animals that display enhanced regenerative abilities and we have learned much from studying organ regeneration in amphibians and fish. From an applied perspective, while regeneration biologists will undoubtedly continue to study poikilothermic animals (i.e., amphibians and fish), studies focused on homeotherms (i.e., mammals and birds) are also necessary to advance regeneration biology. Emerging mammalian models of epimorphic regeneration are poised to help link regenerative biology and regenerative medicine. The regenerating rodent digit tip, which parallels human fingertip regeneration, and the regeneration of large circular defects through the ear pinna in spiny mice and rabbits, provide tractable, experimental systems where complex tissue structures are regrown through blastema formation and morphogenesis. Using these models as examples, we detail similarities and differences between the mammalian blastema and its classical counterpart to arrive at a broad working definition of a vertebrate regeneration blastema. This comparison leads us to conclude that regenerative failure is not related to the availability of regeneration-competent progenitor cells, but is most likely a function of the cellular response to the microenvironment that forms following traumatic injury. Recent studies demonstrating that targeted modification of this microenvironment can restrict or enhance regenerative capabilities in mammals helps provide a roadmap for eventually pushing the limits of human regeneration.

Reconstruction of a near total ear amputation with a neurosensorial radial forearm free flap prelaminated with porous polyethylene implant and delay procedure.

When an auricular defect is caused by high-energy trauma that causes damage to the surrounding tissues, the patient may be not a candidate for reconstruction with local flaps and free tissue transfer may be necessary. Here we present a case of total auricular reconstruction in a 27 year-old man who had total loss of the left ear and traumatized temporal skin and fascia. A radial forearm flap prelaminated by a porous polyethylene implant was employed. A "printed" ear made of silicone, based on the patient's CT-scan of the contralateral ear, was used for intraoperative molding of the future reconstruction. Prolonged prelamination time and surgical delay (three months) were performed to reduce edema, distortion and loss of definition of the framework after revascularization. After subsequent integration and neovascularization of the added tissue, the prelaminated flap was transferred. Flap reinnervation was also performed by direct coaption of the great auricular nerve to the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. The flap fully survived and there were no complications in the early postoperative period. Between 3 and 6 months, the patient returned to normal ranges in terms of warmth and cold, and recovered the discriminative facial sensibility. After one year the auricular reconstruction was intact and satisfactory aesthetic results were achieved. This method may offer a satisfactory solution for a difficult problem and may be considered for acquired total ear defects.

To stitch or not to stitch: A case review: Auricular lacerations involving cartilage management in the emergency department.

Patients with Parkinsonism are at risk of frequent falls by virtue of their unstable gait. Auricular lacerations involving the cartilage are usually managed by Plastics Surgeons. Patient Mr Jones (an alias for this case review) had sustained a significant full thickness auricular laceration that was complicated by a past medical history with Parkinson's disease. This case review summarises a nurse practitioner's (NP) clinical decision-making processes and the experience in the management and treatment of auricular cartilage lacerations in the emergency department.

Exosomes of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells stimulate angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be attributed partly to humoral factors such as growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines. Human term placental tissue-derived MSCs (PlaMSCs), or conditioned medium left over from cultures of these cells, have been reported to enhance angiogenesis. Recently, the exosome, which can transport a diverse suite of macromolecules, has gained attention as a novel intercellular communication tool. However, the potential role of the exosome in PlaMSC therapeutic action is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PlaMSC-derived exosome angiogenesis promotion in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: MSCs were isolated from human term placental tissue by enzymatic digestion. Conditioned medium was collected after 48-h incubation in serum-free medium (PlaMSC-CM). Angiogenic factors present in PlaMSC-CM were screened by a growth factor array. Exosomes were prepared by ultracentrifugation of PlaMSC-CM, and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and western blot analyses. The proangiogenic activity of PlaMSC-derived exosomes (PlaMSC-exo) was assessed using an endothelial tube formation assay, a cell migration assay, and reverse transcription-PCR analysis. The in-vivo angiogenic activity of PlaMSC-exo was evaluated using a murine auricle ischemic injury model. RESULTS: PlaMSC-CM contained both angiogenic and angiostatic factors, which enhanced endothelial tube formation. PlaMSC-exo were incorporated into endothelial cells; these exosomes stimulated both endothelial tube formation and migration, and enhanced angiogenesis-related gene expression. Laser Doppler blood flow analysis showed that PlaMSC-exo infusion also enhanced angiogenesis in an in-vivo murine auricle ischemic injury model. CONCLUSIONS: PlaMSC-exo enhanced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that exosomes play a role in the proangiogenic activity of PlaMSCs. PlaMSC-exo may be a novel therapeutic approach for treating ischemic diseases.

Using Osseointegrated Implants Concomitant With Onlay Bone Grafting for Auricular Reconstruction.

Conventional dental implants have been reported for nasal and orbital regions but due to limited thickness of calvarium they are not used in mastoid region. Onlay bone grafting in skull concomitant with implants is a predictable method and experimental animal studies confirm it. Parietal bone and lateral mandibular ramus are suggested source of bone grafts and dental implants with 7 mm length can be used safely. Increased fixture length may lead to increase survival in long term.

[Earlobe reconstruction in one step by the Gavello's procedure: Surgical technique and a case report]. / Reconstruction du lobe d'oreille en un temps par la méthode de Gavello : technique opératoire et à propos d'un cas clinique.

The earlobe because of its anatomical position is subject of defects secondary to multiple and varied etiologies. Although its functional role appears negligible, its aesthetic and social importance makes its reconstruction a delicate surgery because it must be discreet but also the simplest possible. Many methods have been described but some require several operating times. The aim of this article is to present a simple procedure with a bilobed flap based on a reliable vascularization and which requires only one operative time. We describe the technique through a clinical case and review the literature to discuss the other methods described.

Patient-performed pinnaplasty using industrial nail glue.

Malformations of the pinna occur in around 2-5% of all newborns. Prominent ears in childhood can be a source of psychological distress and lead to bullying and social exclusion. We present the case of a 14-year-old girl who inflicted chronic, non-healing wounds in the post auricular area bilaterally after attempting to glue back her ears with industrial strength glue. To our knowledge, this is the first case of its kind to be published.

External Auditory Canal Stenosis After Traumatic Auricular Amputation.

BACKGROUND: The auricles are easily injured or amputated in case of head trauma. Inadequate treatment of the external auditory canal (EAC) after auricular injury is often seen and can lead to significant complications of the EAC. CASE REPORT: The authors report 4 cases of auricular injury or amputations. In all patients inadequate first treatment led to stenosis of the EAC. Three patients required recanalization of the EAC because of hearing loss and the risk of further complications. CONCLUSION: Treatment of auricular injury should consist of (pre-emptive) packing of the EAC with antibiotic gauzes followed by thorough examination of the EAC to prevent canal stenosis and subsequent complications.