Delayed Reconstruction of Ear Lobule With Conchal Cartilage Rotational Flap

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Facial Aesthetics

Background:

• The earlobe is crucial for facial aesthetics and balance.
• Large earlobe defects pose significant reconstructive challenges due to cartilage absence and the need for sustained volume.
• Maintaining earlobe contour and volume is essential for aesthetic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel two-phase surgical technique for earlobe reconstruction.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a cartilage graft-based approach for large earlobe defects.
• To assess patient satisfaction and complication rates associated with the described technique.

Main Methods:

• A two-phase surgical approach was employed for earlobe reconstruction.
• Phase 1 involved creating a cheek flap and implanting a cartilage graft.
• Phase 2 included V-Y advancement flap refinement and posterior full-thickness skin grafting.

Main Results:

• The technique was successfully applied to 12 patients (ages 29-82) with diverse earlobe defects.
• Defect types included congenital deformities, arteriovenous malformations, and post-malignancy resections.
• All cases demonstrated aesthetically pleasing results with no reported complications.

Conclusions:

• The described two-phase reconstruction technique provides a reliable solution for large earlobe defects.
• The method effectively restores volume and contour, leading to satisfactory aesthetic outcomes.
• Further research with larger patient groups and longer follow-up is recommended to confirm these findings.