title: Correction of the lobule.
abstract: Many techniques have been described for the correction of protruding ears. Most of them concentrate on correcting the form and position of auricular cartilage. The lobule is a soft tissue structure. Skin resections of its posterior surface have been propagated for the correction of its position; however, these cause tension on the wound and might increase the already relatively high risk for the development of keloids. We have modified the technique for correcting the protruding lobule for its exact positioning and minimizing the risk for relapse and keloids. Starting from the incision performed for the anthelix plasty, a subcutaneous pocket is prepared between the anterior and posterior sides of the lobule. Afterwards, the subcutaneous layer of the postlobular skin is adjusted and fixed to the cartilage of the conchal cavum with a special mattress suture. This technique is a refinement of otoplasty for bat ears. It is indicated for precise modification of form and position of protruding lobules.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Prosper Hospital, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Ruhr University Bochum, 45659 Recklinghausen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siegert
mesh_terms: D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004425:Ear Cartilage / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007627:Keloid / Q000517:prevention & control; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D013536:Suture Techniques