[EFFECTIVENESS OF V-Y ADVANCED RETROAURICULAR FLAP FOR REPAIRING MILD AND MODERATE EARLOBE DEFECTS]

To investigate the effectiveness of the V-Y advanced retroauricular flap for repairing mild and moderate earlobe defect.

Between September 2014 and July 2015, V-Y advanced retroauricular flap was used to repair earlobe defect in 6 patients. There were 1 male and 5 females, aged 18 to 30 years (mean, 23 years). The left earlobe was involved in 2 cases and the right earlobe in 4 cases, including 2 cases of congenital earlobe defect and 4 cases of secondary earlobe defect; 1 patient had congenital deformity of upper auricle. According to self-made criteria for earlobe defect, 5 cases were rated as mild defect and 1 case as moderate defect.

All incisions healed at the first stage, and the flaps survived smoothly. The patients were followed up 3 to 12 months, with an average of 9 months. The reconstructed earlobes had natural size and shape, and smooth curve; the texture and color were close to the adjacent skin. The effectiveness was satisfactory.

The V-Y advanced retroauricular flap for repairing mild and moderate earlobe defect can achieve natural earlobe and aesthetic plastic effectiveness, so it is a safe and ideal earlobe reconstruction method.