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Updated: Dec 1, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Endoscopic Ossiculoplasty – Techniques, Innovations, and Practical Guidance for Clinical Integration
Published on: January 26, 2024
A Novel Technique for Reconstruction of a Congenitally Absent Earlobe
Robert A Saadi1, Kasra Ziai1, Jessyka G Lighthall1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 12310The Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA.
Objective:
Congenital anomalies of the external ear may present a reconstructive challenge, particularly when normal chondrocutaneous components of the auricle fail to develop. Our goal was to develop a novel technique for lobule reconstruction of a congenitally absent earlobe with photographic documentation of the technique.
Methods:
Informed consent for perioperative photography and publication of case details was obtained. A postauricular, turnover flap with ipsilateral conchal cartilage grafting was performed to reconstruct the lobule, and a superiorly based, postauricular, rotation advancement flap was used to close the donor site defect.
Results:
Perioperative photographs are included demonstrating technique and cosmetic results.
Conclusions:
Malformations rarely involve the lobule or lower third of the ear primarily. Literature regarding lobule reconstruction for congenital malformations is scarce. We present a novel technique for lobule reconstruction of a congenitally absent earlobe performed in a single stage that avoids a visible neck scar and allows for simultaneous conchal cartilage harvest. The technique demonstrated satisfactory cosmesis regarding contour and overall appearance and these results remained stable at 1-year follow up.
