J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2017 Dec;43(6):423-426. 10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.423.

Correction of congenital cleft earlobe with front and back flaps

• Karaci S
• Köse R

• KMID: 2398998
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.423

Abstract

Congenital auricular deformities may be either deformational or malformational. Malformational anomalies present with a skin or cartilage shortage. Two cases with congenital cleft earlobe were presented. A new surgical technique using a two-layered repair with front and back flaps were introduced. She waited to begin wearing earrings until six months after the surgery to prevent possible scar contracture. The patients were followed up for a period ranging from 3 to 14 months. The earlobe volume deficiency was replaced, and acceptable scar maturation was obtained.

Keyword

Earlobe; Auricle; Cleft; Malformation; Congenital

MeSH Terms

Cartilage
Cicatrix
Congenital Abnormalities
Contracture
Ear
Humans
Skin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Tag and cleft with a hypoplasia type malformation in an 11-year-old girl. The gap size was 5×6 mm in comparison to the normal right earlobe.

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  Fig. 2 A defective type of cleft earlobe anomaly in a 17-year-old girl. The lateral element was rotated posteriorly.

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  Fig. 3 The design of the front flap. Marking an earlobe Z-plasty with a right-angled front and the margin of the cleft. The lengths of the line AB and line BC are 5 mm, while line CD is 6 mm.

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  Fig. 4 A split thickness Z-plasty incision in only the front allowed for intact back support.

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  Fig. 5 Undermined Z-plasty flaps. Lobule bisected into two layers.

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  Fig. 6 Z-plasty flaps transposed and sutured anteriorly.

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  Fig. 7 Back flap. A slit performed on the posterior auricle. The incision pulls away from the margin with the maintenance of a minimum of 5 mm marginal tissue in the back rear of the lobule.

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  Fig. 8 A subdermal back flap was adapted as a Y-V advancement style.

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  Fig. 9 Postoperative view at 14 months. Minimal scar contracture and a notch can be seen, and a satisfactory lobule repair is evident.

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