RT Book, Section A1 Kantor, Jonathan SR Print(0) ID 1141252845 T1 The Ears T2 Atlas of Suturing Techniques: Approaches to Surgical Wound, Laceration, and Cosmetic Repair YR 2017 FD 2017 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071836579 LK dermatology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1141252845 RD 2024/03/28 AB The ears, like the nose, have a complex three-dimensional array of ridges and valleys that must be respected if a reconstruction is to return the appearance of normal. Since the cartilaginous strut of the ear provides its basic structural integrity, the ear represents a type of free margin. Appreciating where the rigidity of the cartilaginous strut will force a dermal repair back toward the appearance of normalcy is an important principle of ear reconstruction, and may permit linear closures of larger defects.