Auricular & Nasal Reconstruction Flashcards

Which anatomical orientation error most commonly occurs during auricular prosthesis positioning and results in an unnatural appearance at first glance?

Answer: Excessive forward tilt of the superior pole (auricular inclination error)

The auricle has a natural posterior inclination of about 15–20° from vertical; excessive forward tilt places the superior pole too far anterior and is immediately perceptible.

A nasal prosthesis adhesive is causing perilesional dermatitis after four months of daily use. What is the most appropriate first clinical step?

Answer: Patch test the patient to identify the offending adhesive component and trial an alternative medical adhesive

Patch testing identifies whether the reaction is to the adhesive base, solvent, or preservative, allowing targeted selection of a compatible alternative before escalating to surgical retention.

When recording the skin color of a patient for nasal prosthesis extrinsic coloring, under which lighting condition should the baseline shade be assessed?

Answer: D65 daylight-equivalent lighting (5500–6500 K)

D65 daylight-equivalent lighting provides a standardized spectral reference that approximates natural daylight, the condition in which prostheses are most critically evaluated.

Which bone site is contraindicated for craniofacial implant placement in support of an auricular prosthesis due to risk of poor osseointegration?

Answer: Previously irradiated temporal bone without hyperbaric oxygen pretreatment

Previously irradiated bone has compromised vascularity and healing capacity, significantly increasing implant failure rates unless hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to enhance bone biology prior to placement.

A child born with anotia undergoes craniofacial implant placement for auricular prosthetic retention. At what minimum age is this surgery typically recommended to ensure adequate skull bone thickness?

Answer: 8–10 years

Skull bone thickness sufficient for reliable craniofacial implant osseointegration is typically achieved between ages 8–10, making this the generally accepted minimum intervention window.

Which property of medical-grade silicone makes it the preferred material for nasal and auricular prostheses over acrylic resin?

Answer: Platinum-cured silicone's inherent translucency and ability to be intrinsically pigmented to match skin optical depth

Platinum-cured silicone's optical translucency and acceptance of intrinsic pigmentation allow it to replicate the subsurface light scattering of human skin in a way acrylic cannot.

When documenting a nasal prosthetic case for a CCA portfolio, which record type is considered essential to demonstrate the anaplastologist's decision-making process?

Answer: Pre-treatment photographs, defect impressions, wax trial records, and post-delivery photographs with patient consent

Comprehensive documentation including pre-treatment photos, impressions, wax trial evaluations, and post-delivery photos with consent demonstrates the full clinical reasoning and technical process required for CCA credentialing.