Two flaps and Z-plasty technique for correction of longitudinal ear lobe cleft

Abstract

Various surgical techniques have been reported for the correction of congenital ear lobe deformities. Our method, the two-flaps-and-Z-plasty technique, for correcting the longitudinal ear lobe cleft is presented. This technique is simple and easy to perform. It enables us to keep the bulkiness of the ear lobe with minimal tissue sacrifice, and to make a shorter operation scar. The small Z-plasty at the free ear lobe margin avoids notching deformity and makes the shape of the ear lobe smoother. The result is satisfactory in terms of matching the contralateral normal ear lobe in shape and symmetry.