EP506 MATRIDERM® DERMAL SUBSTITUTE IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A COMPLICATED EAR DEFECT.

Aim: There are several methods for covering post-traumatic soft tissue defects, such as skin grafts or flaps. However, these options have some limitations, including a paucity of suitable adjacent tissue, and exposure of neurovascular, bony, or cartilage structures. Therefore, alternative dermal substitutes have been developed for soft-tissue defects. Matriderm® (Dr. Suwelack Skin and Health Care AG, Billerbeck, Germany), a single-layer dermal matrix, has been used often in burn treatment. This study aims to present the use of a dermal matrix in reconstructive surgery. Method: A 39-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a complaint of total amputation of the right ear due to a dog bite. Surgical debridement and proper antibiotic therapy were administered. A two-stage ear reconstruction was then planned using a costal cartilage graft. After the first stage of ear reconstruction surgery, it was noticed that the skin flap on the cartilage prefabrication was thinner, there were detachments in the infected suture lines (Fig. 1). The infected wound was debrided. Afterwards, the exposed cartilage prefabrication, which excludes the perichondrium, was covered with a one-mm Matriderm® and a split-thickness skin graft in a single-step procedure. In addition, a vacuum device was applied. Results / Discussion: The presented case had cartilage exposition, in which Matriderm® allowed the host cell to produce a fuller subdermal bed, over which the skin can epithelize. Complete healing of the skin graft was confirmed through outpatient follow-up at 4 weeks postoperatively. Conclusion: The use of Matriderm® in combination with a skin graft in exposed structures is a simple, feasible method. Therefore, Matriderm® can be indicated in reconstructive surgery, where flap options are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]