Preliminary Analysis on Characteristics of Rib Cartilage Calcification in Patients With Congenital Microtia.

Autogenous rib cartilage graft procedure for microtia reconstruction has been adopted as the most standardized current method. But calcification would make it difficult for cartilage harvesting and ear framework sculpting. The objective of this study was to explore the rate, degree, and pattern of rib cartilage calcification in microtia and to guide rib cartilage harvesting and the optimal timing of auricular reconstruction. A retrospective study was performed with the imaging data from 320 consecutive patients who received a preoperative 3-dimensional chest computed tomography (CT). Overall, calcification rate of cartilages in female patients was higher than male's (P < 0.05). In 6 to 15 years group, calcification rates of male and female had a similar rate, while female's were higher than male's in other 3 groups. Furthermore, the moderate-to-severe calcification rate was higher in female than in male patients (P < 0.001). Therefore, girls who are over 15 years should be paid more attention regarding the possibility of moderate-to-severe calcification; these patients should take CT examinations if necessary. Calcification rate of the youngest group (6-15 years) was the lowest of all groups, while other 3 groups showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). So merely the age increasing is not the contradiction for cartilage harvesting, as long as the authors effectively evaluate the condition of rib cartilage before operation. Rib cartilages serve as the key material in auricular framework sculpting and determine the feasibility and outcomes of the surgery. So CT examinations for preoperative evaluation of rib cartilage could be a useful method for planning microtia reconstruction.