Traumatic cleft earlobe repair using double triangular flap from epithelialized skin of cleft margin

Abstract

Traumatic cleft earlobe is the most common secondary deformity of the ear. Numerous techniques have been introduced to repair traumatic cleft earlobe and break the linear scar. However, most of the techniques require elevation of additional flaps from normal surrounding tissue and sacrifice healthy tissue from small earlobes. The authors used epithelialized scar tissue from the cleft margin to elevate 2 triangular flaps. The flaps were turned 90 degrees to fit into the fish-mouth incision at the margin of the cleft earlobe. With this method, tissue from the cleft margin is saved to elongate and break the linear scar of the earlobe. Twelve cases of secondary cleft earlobe were repaired with this technique. After a follow-up of at least 3 months, there was no scar contracture or notching of the earlobe lower border.

Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic.