Cleft Earlobe Research Articles

Cleft Earlobe Repair

Cleft Earlobe Repair

Classification and surgical repair of congenital ear lobe anomalies

We encountered 21 cases of congenital ear lobe anomalies at our clinic during the past seven years. This report presents our system for classification of these cases and describes some typical cases. We divided ear lobe anomalies into four groups according to the type of lobe as follows; large, adhesive, defective and cleft ear lobe type. In the large lobe type, the ear lobe is characteristically large. For the adhesive lobe type, no angle is formed between the ear lobe and the face, i.e. the helix is elongated in a straight line towards the face. The cleft ear lobe type is classified into two surgical categories, viz. the cleft and appendage types. The former is recognized by a cleft on the lobe which continues from the helix, whereas the latter type has an appendage on the lobe. Combinations of these two types are included in the cleft type because a cleft in the lobe is more significant in terms of the shape of the repaired ear lobe. As regards the surgical repair of these anomalies, careful consideration is required in order to accomplish tridimensional reconstruction and create the natural curve of the lobe using z-plasty and other local flaps.

Reconstruction of the middle-aged torn earlobe: a new method

This paper describes a new method of reconstructing acquired complete and incomplete cleft earlobes which are elongated and have lost their normal bulk due to the wearing of heavy, dangling earrings. Results have been good and problems of breakdown of the repair have not been reported over a period of 2 years.

Reconstruction of the cleft earlobe with preservation of the perforation for an earring.

A simple method of repairing a complete or incomplete cleft of the earlobe with preservation of a hole for an earring is described. The results have been excellent, and the technique is very simple.

L-plasty technique in the repair of split ear lobe

A new and effective technique for the repair of split ear lobe is presented and the mechanism of acquired cleft ear lobe from the wearing of earrings is discussed.

Classification of cleft ear lobe. (Japanese)

Classification of cleft ear lobe. (Japanese)

Surgical repair of the congenital ear lobe cleft

A surgical procedure using a post-auricular flap is described to reconstruct the particular type of congenital hypoplastic ear lobe cleft associated with soft tissue deficiency. Its advantages are outlined.

The lap-joint principle in the repair of the cleft earlobe

The lap-joint principle in the repair of the cleft earlobe

The lap-joint principle in the repair of the cleft earlobe

The lap-joint principle in the repair of the cleft earlobe

The cleft ear lobe: A method of repair with preservation of the earring canal

Clefts of the ear lobe are usually due to sudden traction on an earring (McLaren, 1954). The laceration may be sutured initially but more commonly is allowed to heal spontaneously. Secondary repair by excision of the cleft edges and resuture has been advocated by some (McLaren, 1954; Converse, 1964) while others have devised methods to preserve the earring canal. Boo-Chai (1961) described retention of the apical epithelium in the cleft and suturing the freshened edges below it. The floor of the canal carrying the weight of the earring, however, is a scar. Pardue (1973) used a small skin flap from one side of the cleft near the apex to form the floor of the canal but this flap is composed of thin scarred skin and thus less suitable than the unscarred skin in the following technique.

Method for repair of cleft earlobes.

Method for repair of cleft earlobes.

Congenital Deformities of the Auricle

Etiology and incidence of deformity of the auricle are discussed and treatment of microtia, crypotia, prominent ears, and cleft ear lobe is presented, with emphasis on reconstruction of the external ear.

The cleft ear lobe.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Transplantation Bulletin: December 1961 - Volume 28 - Issue 6 - p 681-688

Cleft ear lobes: A hazard of wearing ear-rings

Cleft ear lobes: A hazard of wearing ear-rings