CLOSE

Abnormal Shape

ear surgery center
Abnormal Shape

Ear lobe deformity

Cleft ear lobe

Cleft ear lobe is a congenital form in which
the ear lobe is split,

and appears in various shapes
depending on the degree.

In some cases,
there are only traces of clefts,

and the volume
of the ear lobe is
absolutely
insufficient in severe cases.


Depending on the severity of each,
the treatment method will be different.

Right time for surgery

Although the literature does not mention that it is the right time for surgery, it is recommended to do it at this time because experience shows that the upper grades of elementary school can withstand partial anesthesia and cartilage growth is almost over. However, the ears grow quickly, so 85% of the ears are large when they are 3-4 years old, so it is sometimes performed when they are young, but at this time, they need to be operated under general anesthesia. If your child is doing well without any difficulties, it is recommended to get braces at an age when you can endure partial anesthesia when you grow up a little.

Classification and calibration methods of cleft ear lobes

It can be classified into four types based on the shape of this column and the volume difference between the normal side. (C Park. Lower auricular malformation. PRS 104:29, 1999)

  • 01
    simple type
    • Normal
      Cleft ear lobe
    • Normal
      Cleft ear lobe

    This is the case where there is no difference in volume from the normal side, but there is a split in the earlobe (cleft ear lob). Suture using the plastic surgery method can be used to correct the cracked part of the earlobe itself.

  • 02
    tag and cleft type
    • Normal
      Cleft ear lobe
    • Normal
      Cleft ear lobe

    The ear lobe is made by using tag as much as possible, and cartilage grafting may be required in some cases.

  • 03
    tag and cleft with hypoplasia type
    • Normal
      Cleft ear lobe
    • Normal
      Cleft ear lobe

    Compared to the normal side, there is hypoplasia. If only the cracked part is sutured, it looks like a normal earlobe from the side, but hypoplasia becomes worse when viewed from the front. Therefore, it can be corredted by replenishing the skin-cartilage flap method behind the ear as well as the tag tissue.

  • 04
    defective type
    • Nomral
      Cleft ear lobe
    • Nomral
      Cleft ear lobe

    Compared to the normal side, hypoplasia is evident. It can be corrected using a skin cartilage flap behind the ear.

Anesthesia and duration of treatment

In young cases, general anesthesia is required, but most of them are local anesthesia and hospitalization is not necessary, so you can return home after some rest after surgery, and the suture is removed about 11 to 2 weeks after surgery, and you need to visit once every 2-3 days.

Precautions after surgery

Immediately after surgery, the area of the ear is wrapped thickly and maintained for 2-3 days, and the surgical area is not pressed, and it is recommended not to make excessive movements to prevent the dressing from loosening. Be careful not to put excessive force on your ears for at least 2-3 months.

Before & After

  • Before
    After

Adhered lobe and small ear lobe

Adhered lobe is a deformity in which the part where the earlobe attaches to the cheek is not round but sharply attached. It may occur congenitally or after face lift surgery. Correction depends on the degree of correction. If there is the volume of the ear lobe to some extent, it can be corrected by moving the tissue of the ear lobe itself, but if the volume is small, cartilage graft can be used along with the movement of the lobe tissue. In the case of a small earlobe, it is corrected using cartilage graft along with the movement of the ear lobe tissue.

Before & After

  • Before
    After
  • Before
    After

Big ear lobe (Buddha’s ear)

If the ear lobe volume is large, it can be reduced appropriately by considering the degree you want and the harmony of the entire ear.

Before & After

  • Before
    After

Traumatic injury

01. Cleft ear lobe due to earring

If the ear lobe is torn due to wearing heavy earrings for a long time or a sudden external force, the ear lobe will be split and healed if left untreated. Since it is not aesthetically pleasing and it is difficult to wear earrings, simple surgery will make the split ear lobe look good. At this time, if the split part is simply excised and sutured, the natural shape will not come out later, so a natural earlobe is created using a plastic surgery method.

02. Earlobe defect due to trauma

When the earlobe is lost due to trauma, the surgical method varies depending on the severity. Basically, the purpose is to restore the shape of a natural earlobe as much as possible. To do so, needed framework is reconstructed using the ipsilateral and/or contralateral ear cartilage or chest cartilage. The most important thing is to determine which part needs to be restored through accurate examination and diagnosis, which requires a lot of experience.

Before & After

  • Before
    After
  • Before
    After
  • Before
    After