Postauricular flap based on dermal pedicle for reconstruction of congenital earlobe cleft

Failure of fusion of auricular components is the probable cause of cleft ear. Many surgical techniques such as Z-plasties and local flap surgeries have been proposed for the reconstruction of an earlobe cleft. We reported an innovative and simple method for the reconstruction of a congenital earlobe cleft by elevating a random postauricular flap based on the dermal pedicle at the indentation of the cleft under local anesthesia. The flap was folded inward along the diagonal line to repair the defect and then was closed primarily along the margin of the cleft after deepithelialization. During the postoperative course, there was neither cyanotic change nor flap partial loss. The donor site was closed primarily, with a good aesthetic result. The auricle shape remained well at the 4-year follow-up. Therefore we suggest this procedure as an alternative choice for the reconstruction of a congenital earlobe cleft with a large defect. Copyright (C) 2013, Taiwan Surgical Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.