Management of the Congenital Cleft Earlobe with a Conchal Cartilage Graft

Congenital earlobe clefts are the most common lower auricular malformations. They represent a unique reconstructive challenge. The goal of surgery includes restoration of a natural lobular contour and volume as well as a fine surgical scar. Several surgical techniques have been described, most of which only address the cleft deformity but not the soft tissue deficiency. We hereby describe a technique which addresses both the cleft and improves soft tissue deficiency through a conchal cartilage graft.