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At the recent meeting of the southern section of the Triological Society in Naples, Fla, Fred J. Stucker, MD, presented his experience using the perichondrial-cutaneous graft for reconstruction of small midfacial defects. Dr Stucker, Louisiana State University Medical Center, Shreveport, stated that this procedure has succeeded with good-to-excellent cosmetic results in 81 of 83 cases. The advantages of this graft over a split-thickness or full-thickness skin graft are the ability to generate cartilage and grow, rather than shrink, and a thicker, more structurally supportive graft. Keys to success in using the perichondrial-cutaneous graft include keeping the procedure simple and choosing the correct sites for placement.
The donor site is from the concha of the auricle. If a larger graft is necessary than the concha can provide, the incision can be extended up into the auricle's triangularis. Local anesthetic (1 to 2 mL) is injected into the area, and sharp dissection