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. 2006 Jul-Aug;72(4):447-51.
doi: 10.1016/s1808-8694(15)30989-7.

Earlobe cleft reconstructive surgery

Lucas Gomes Patrocínio  1 , Rodrigo Márcio Morais, José Edmundo Pereira, José Antônio Patrocínio
Affiliations

Earlobe cleft reconstructive surgery

Lucas Gomes Patrocínio et al. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2006 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

The earlobe occupies a unique position among facial structures and has its own importance when we consider the secular tradition of wearing decorations and jewels on it.

Aim: To present and discuss the technique used in the Departments of Otolaryngology of the Federal University of Uberlândia (FAMED-UFU) and the Hospital Santa Genoveva, in the treatment of earlobe clefts.

Patient and methods: Twenty-five patients (35 ears) with earlobe clefts were evaluated, from January 2003 to May 2005. In all these cases we used the technique we call "Surgery of the Ear Ring".

Results: Of the 35 cases, 32 presented satisfactory results, 1 presented with an aesthetic deficit only noticed by the surgeon, and 2 presented aesthetic deficits noticed by both the patient and surgeon, needing a "second look" surgery. In these, there was a notch in the lower free border. The other case with deficit was a functional one caused by the closing of the ear lobe hole.

Conclusions: We consider this technique an innovative one, of easy accomplishment, and with good aesthetic and functional results. Therefore, it is the authors preferred technique for the correction of earlobe clefts.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Photograph showing a longitudinal incision completing the earlobe cleft towards the lower border, splitting the lobe in 2 halves.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Photograph showing the earlobe split in two flaps.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Photograph showing scraping o the anterior lobe flap.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photograph showing anterior lobe flap with an open wound in the posterior face.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Photograph showing a longitudinal incision on the posterior lobe flap, of 2.0mm thickness, creating a new 5.0×2.0 flap.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Photograph showing a cross 2.00 incision on the lower border of the central flap.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Photograph showing a central flap rotation in such a way as that the epithelized borders make the lobe orifice and mononylon 5-0 suturing.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Photograph showing lobe flap suturing through the lower free border with mononylon 5-0.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Photograph showing lobe flap suturing with 5-0 nylon and the needle in the final orifice for an earring placement.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Photograph showing the final surgery outcome. We see the orifice for earring placement, totally epithelized.
Chart 1
Chart 1
Distribution of the patients who underwent ear lobe surgical treatment and presented with functional/cosmetic impairment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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