title: Earlobe reconstruction using a subcutaneous island pedicle flap after resection of "earlobe keloid".
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A large keloid of the earlobe is a difficult case in which to obtain a satisfying result by nonsurgical therapies. In this case, surgical resection of keloids should be considered as a first step in therapy. However, it is difficult to reconstruct the earlobe cosmetically after resection of the lesion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the usefulness of the subcutaneous island pedicle flap in earlobe keloid surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five earlobe keloids in five patients (four females and one male) were resected and reconstructed by subcutaneous island pedicle flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all patients, there were no keloid recurrences and no adjuvant therapies used during the follow-up periods, which ranged from 10 to 26 months. The reconstructed earlobes were almost symmetrical.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the selected cases, use of the subcutaneous island pedicle flap is a viable method to be considered for reconstruction after resection of earlobe keloids.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Nara Medical University, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hatoko
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kuwahara
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiba
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okazaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Muramatsu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shirai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D013524:Surgical Flaps