Reconstruction of complete auricular amputation with two-stage cartilage preservation surgery and customized auricular contour restoration using a 3D-printed mold: a case report

A 42-year-old female patient presented with a complete ear amputation resulting from a collision with a machine. The ear was avulsed by blunt trauma, meaning that it was torn away rather than being cleanly cut. Fortunately, the auricular cartilage remained intact and preserved its overall shape despite the amputation. However, the surrounding blood vessels were not suitable for microanastomosis. In the first-stage operation, the auricular cartilage was de-epithelialized and embedded into the postauricular area. Three months later, during the second-stage operation, the embedded auricular cartilage framework was elevated to achieve normal auricular projection. During the postoperative period, a customized mold based on the shape of the patient’s contralateral ear was fabricated using 3D printing technology and applied to the reconstructed ear to refine the contour and achieve a natural appearance. The overall outcome was favorable, with no complications observed during the postoperative care period.