Answer:
Principles:
A) Debride necrotic skin and cartilage.
B) Cover cartilage with local skin flaps when possible.
Superficial second degree burns of the ear usually heal with little deformity although hypertrophic scars and keloids may occur in patients who have a proclivity for it. The cartilage has no intrinsic blood supply, and a full-thickness injury of the skin and perichondrium will expose the cartilage with subsequent risk for chondritis. In these instances, topical antibiotics such as sulfamylon are used to minimize or delay the development of infection. If only the perichondrium is exposed, chances are good that it will granulate and epithelialize.
If the injury has penetrated the perichondrium or chondritis has developed then surgical debridement will be necessary with excision of cartilage. This usually results in a large enough deformity to require reconstruction usually at some later point in time.