Earlobe reconstruction using a chondrocutaneous flap.
A postauricular chondrocutaneous flap including a postauricular artery was used in reconstructing congenital dysplasia of the earlobe. This flap had a safe and sufficient blood supply and had an excellent texture match. To reconstruct congenitally absent earlobes of two patients, a skin flap of the mastoid region and a chondrocutaneous flap that has a subcutaneous pedicle were used. To reconstruct congenital hypoplastic earlobe clefts of three patients, hinge flaps of two small earlobes and a transpositioned chondrocutaneous flap were used. The reconstructed earlobes had a thin, natural form, and deformity by contracture had not developed. The donor scar left by the flap was inconspicuous.
Yotsuyanagi
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Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Aomori, Japan.
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*