title: Torsion of partial cleft of ear lobule.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Torsion is a well-known phenomenon involving organs with long mesentery. Torsion in the ear lobule is rare. Ear lobule is very well vascularized. In cases of partial cleft ear lobule, there is a small segment of lobule inferior to the cleft which is vascularized through the pedicles on either side of the cleft.
  
  
  METHODS
  A lady aged 89 years presented with discoloration of the ear lobule. She was diagnosed as having gangrene of the central part of lobule. The segment of the lobule had undergone more than 360° torsion. She underwent debridement of gangrenous part and lobuloplasty.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our case laxity of the stretched lobule caused the torsion of the segment followed by gangrene. This rare complication indicates the need for correction of the cleft lobule not only for esthetic purpose, but also for the prevention of torsion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, M.S. Ramiah Medical College, Bangalore, India. Electronic address: doctorkums@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kumaraswamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, M.S. Ramiah Medical College, Bangalore, India.
authors.forename: Veena P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Waiker
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004426:Ear Deformities, Acquired / Q000473:pathology*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans
keywords: Ear lobule cleft; Gangrene; Partial cleft of ear lobule; Torsion