Cleft Earlobe Research Articles

Laser Surgery for Traumatic Incomplete Earlobe Clefts

Laser Surgery for Traumatic Incomplete Earlobe Clefts

Congenital cleft earlobe: surgical repair.

Congenital cleft earlobe: surgical repair.

Repair of Cleft Ear Lobes

Repair of Cleft Ear Lobes

Quantitative Assessment of Osseous, Ocular, and Periocular Changes after Hypertelorism Surgery

The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology to quantify osseous, ocular, and periocular fat changes caused by correction of orbital hypertelorism to test the hypothesis that there is a quantitatively predictable relationship between the movement of the osseous orbit and that of the ocular globe. A retrospective review was performed of 10 patients who were status post unilateral or bilateral transcranial medial orbital translocation, for whom there were archival digital data for preoperative and postoperative (mean interval = 30 months) three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) scans. In addition to standard demographic and surgical data, the clinical preoperative and postoperative interpupillary and intermedial canthal distances were recorded. By using a computer graphics workstation, the CT digital data were registered to four surgically unaltered anatomic fiducial points to allow longitudinal quantitative comparisons. The following three-dimensional measurements were made for each patient preoperatively and postoperatively: interdacryon and interocular centroid distances, and on a standard series of three horizontal and two vertical planes, the position of the medial and lateral orbital walls, and the thickness of the medial and lateral periorbital fat (20 orbits). CT digital distances were compared with similar clinical distances when possible. The age at operation ranged from 4.0 to 12.5 years (mean, 6.6 years). The reduction in interdacryon distance exceeded the reduction in intercentroid distance (mean interdacryon change = -5.3 mm versus mean intercentroid change = -2.7 mm). Although there was a strong correlation between the amount of reduction of the lateral orbital wall and intercentroid distances, there was only a moderate correlation between the reduction in the intercentroid distance and that of the medial orbital wall. Similarly, there was a moderate correlation between the decrease in thickness of the lateral periorbital fat and the reduction of intercentroid distance but not of the medial orbital fat. In conclusion, medial translocation of the orbit does not produce equivalent movement of the ocular globe; neither the intermedial canthal nor the interdacryon distance is a useful predictor of ocular centroid position; and if the goal of hypertelorism operation is reduction of interocular distance, then CT measurement of globe intercentroid distance is essential for outcome assessment.

Serial plication facelift.

In over 3,700 facelifts in the last 40 years, the author has evolved a simple technique with a natural look. All cases were done with conscious sedation and local anesthesia. Patients are ambulatory immediately following surgery and have a rapid recovery with little edema or ecchymosis. Nerve injuries are avoided, and the temple hairline and earlobe clefts are preserved. There are no ridges, dimples, or "joker lines." The superficial musculocutaneous system (SMAS) is tenuous or absent in older patients and one has difficulty in elevating heavy jowls and outer canthal tissues with the usual SMAS technique. Therefore, a serial plication starting low in the jowl and extending up the cheek, spaced 12-15 mm apart, laces the face up just like lacing a shoe, making the entire face firm and youthful. Neck plication pulls the tissues up behind the ear and a platysmal sling keeps the earlobe up in its normal position (Figs. 1-2). The deep tissues are tightened in the temple, the temple hair flap can actually be pushed forward and preserved. This adapts well with ancillary procedures and most patients return to work in 7-10 days.

Surgical Pearl: Repair of split or deformed ear lobe with a tongue depressor blade for stabilization during surgery

Ear piercing and wearing is associated with many adverse sequelae.1 Although few serious risks are associated with ear piercing, the overall incidence of complications is high.1 Split ear lobe (also called cleft ear lobe or torn ear lobe in the literature) is among these complications. Cortese and Dickey2 found a 1% incidence of torn ear lobes in their study of nursing students with pierced ears. Haughie and Biggar3 reported a 2% incidence of tears in a questionnaire study of almost 500 women. Reported causes of split ear include acute or chronic trauma, jogging, wearing heavy earrings, and pressure necrosis from clip-on earrings.

An inexpensive self fabricated pressure clip for the ear lobe

Pressure therapy is an integral part of keloid treatment. There are certain areas of the body which are prone to keloid formation but are not amenable to pressure therapy. The ear lobe is one such area. A simple, self fabricated and inexpensive pressure clip has been used for applying postoperative pressure to the ear lobe. This is fabricated with cold-cure poly methyl methacrylate and orthodontic wire. This has been used in 41 ear lobe keloids in 26 patients along with postexcisional triamcinolone acetonide therapy, 5 ear lobe reconstructions and 2 cases of ear lobe clefts over a period of 8 years. Although these clips are not very aesthetic, still the acceptability is very high as the patients were well motivated. A total of 27 ear lobes in 18 patients of ear lobe keloids have undergone ear boring after 6-18 months of pressure therapy. The only complication noticed is in the form of pressure ulcer due to continuous pressure in two patients at the beginning of our experience with these clips. These healed well after temporarily stopping the use of the clip.

Repair of traumatic earlobe clefts: A simplified modification

A simplified technique for repair of traumatic earlobe clefts is presented. The technique aim is solid repair of the earlobe cleft while avoiding future notching. Preserving the earring hole is not an aim of the current modification.

Surgical repair of the cleft earlobe

Surgical repair of the cleft earlobe

Button-Down Procedure for Correction of Cleft Earlobe Malformation

A case is reported in which the presence of a decorative tattoo resulted in pain and termination of an MRI study. The ferromagnetic nature of the tattoo and iron oxide tattoo pigments is demonstrated. The pathophysiology of tattoo/MRI interaction is discussed, as is an approach to the prevention and treatment of this complication.

Repair of incomplete cleft earlobe.

The repair of incomplete clefts of the earlobe by just freshening the edges and suturing them in apposition may result in an abnormal, pointed earlobe. We present a modification of the technique described by Pardue, preserving the hole for an earring and preventing the pointed earlobe. Two skin suture lines, in opposing directions, maintain the natural curved contour of the earlobe.

Repair of traumatic eariobe clefts: A simplified modification

Traumatic earlobe cleft refers to a split or torn earlobe. 1.2 It is the most common acquired earlobe deformity. 3,4 Traumatic earlobe clefts result from wearing heavy earrings. 5,6 The problem may be a complication of torn-out earrings or a result of an earlobe being pierced too low for an earring. 4 Multiple techniques have been described for repairing this deformity. 1-6 The objectives are to repair the split earlobe, to avoid notching of the rim, and to preserve or recreate the earlobe perforation. We describe a simple technique that accomplishes the first two objectives.

A method of treatment of multiple unilateral earlobe clefts

Multiple clefts of an earlobe are a unique problem that may well rise in incidence as a consequence of the changing tides of fashion, since currently adornment with multiple pierced earrings in both sexes has become prevalent. Depending on the location and number of clefts, immediate or sequential correction must preserve a maximum of tissue to prevent a diminutive or asymmetrical lobule. Although many alternatives used to repair the more common solitary cleft are quite acceptable, a variation of the ‘tongue and groove’ flap technique predictably recreates an earlobe with the desired normal appearance and contour.

Triangular flap repair of the congenital earlobe cleft.

Repair of a congenital earlobe cleft was performed on 16 patients using a new surgical technique derived from the Tennison-Randall triangular flap operation for cheiloplasty. There were no complications. This method was applied because the deformities and desired outcomes in the congenital earlobe cleft are similar to those of the cleft lip. Many papers have described surgery for congenital and acquired clefts; the former differs from the latter in some respects. The techniques described for the repair of acquired clefts are not always appropriate for congenital clefts. In addition, some operations specifically designed for congenital clefts require more complicated techniques. Using our technique to correct lobule deformities with a triangular flap in proportion to the angle and extent of the cleft, a superior cosmetic result was obtained in the repair of longitudinal earlobe clefts.

A method of treatment of multiple unilateral earlobe clefts

A method of treatment of multiple unilateral earlobe clefts

The Cleft Earlobe: A Review of Methods of Treatment

The plastic surgeon must frequently deal with the aesthetic repair of cleft earlobe deformities. Many techniques have been described, each claiming to achieve the best results. In this review of the literature, we discuss the various operations for the treatment of this condition. A classification of the traumatic earlobe clefts is proposed, and some basic principles for surgical treatment are suggested.

Correction of the congenital ear lobe cleft

Correction of the congenital ear lobe cleft

Treatment of traumatic earlobe clefts

Torn and split earlobes are common and often due to earring trauma. Repair of split earlobe clefts is one of the most common problems in plastic surgery. However, little has been written recently about this subject. This article compares our technique for repairing cleft earlobes with other described techniques. The technique presented is sound, simple in concept, technically undemanding to perform, and has definite advantages over other methods currently in use. A waiting period before repiercing the ear is suggested to allow the earlobe tissue to soften and assume its final shape. Neither recurrence nor notching of the lobule has been a problem.

Congenital earlobe cleft: A new technique for repair : M.F. Attalla. Br J Plast Surg 43:223–225, (March), 1990

Congenital earlobe cleft: A new technique for repair : M.F. Attalla. Br J Plast Surg 43:223–225, (March), 1990

Cleft Earlobe Repair

This is a retrospective study of 9 patients who underwent a total of 11 repairs for cleft earlobe. Two repairs were performed using the simple technique, and 9 were repaired using the L-plasty technique. The mean follow-up was 5.5 months (range, 2-18 months). Both of the simple repairs were judged to have moderate notching along the inferior lobular border, and 1 of the 9 L-plasty repairs was judged to have a slight notching. There were no complications. We believe that the L-plasty technique offers a better cosmetic result in the repair of the cleft earlobe. This technique breaks the vertical component of scar contracture, resulting in a smooth lobular border. In addition, a variation on this technique allows for a simultaneous reduction of the lobule when indicated.