Immediate Ear Lobule Reconstruction After Melanoma Resection

Cancer removal from aesthetically vulnerable areas of the face strikes a delicate balance between oncologically appropriate excision and preservation of a unique structure. A 72-year-old male presented with melanoma of the right earlobe requiring complete excision. Partial or complete absence of an ear causes a deformity and is difficult to conceal. Thus, lobule reconstruction postmelanoma excision eliminates deformity and aids in psychological recovery. In this case report, we describe our novel technique of a 2-stage lobule reconstruction immediately after melanoma resection using a direct template of the excised lobule. This template allowed us to sculpt its identical size and shape using harvested contralateral conchal cartilage graft. After the cartilage was banked in a subcutaneous pocket for 8.5 weeks, the second stage liberated the reconstructed lobule. This immediate 2-stage technique eliminated a period of soft tissue contracture and presented a rare surgical opportunity to recreate a structure using its direct template.

Level IV-case report.