The ears are located on both sides of the head. The earlobes, due to historical and cultural factors, are also quite noticeable areas. Women love beauty, and they wear various earrings that vie for attention, all located on the earlobes. Men often have short hair, exposing their ears, making the earlobes clearly visible. Therefore, cases of earlobe defects are not uncommon. Clinically, diagnosis is not difficult, and there are many surgical repair methods. Generally, mastoid flaps are used for repair with good results. Earlobe defects (plastic surgery) refer to a congenital or acquired deformity of the earlobe at the lower end of the auricle caused by trauma, burns (or frostbite), or tumor removal. The degree of defect varies, with more or less loss. However, because the earlobe is located at the bottom of the ear, it is most noticeable whether or not earrings are worn. The incidence of earlobe defects is not uncommon. There is no significant difference in the ratio between men and women. The severity of earlobe defects depends on the intensity of congenital or acquired factors. There are many methods for repairing earlobes, and using mastoid area flaps for repair is relatively simple and commonly used in clinical practice. Mastoid flaps, skin grafts, and buried ear cartilage can also be used for comprehensive repair. The best result is when the size and shape of the earlobe are close to normal.
What is earlobe reconstruction surgery?
Earlobe plastic surgery is a corrective plastic surgery aimed at earlobe deformities. Earlobe deformities are usually not very prominent and can often be covered with hair, only being noticed when paying attention to the earlobes. However, earlobe deformities still limit hairstyle choices, as those with deformed earlobes must choose hairstyles that cover the earlobes to conceal them, which is especially inconvenient for men. Congenital earlobe deformities mainly include earlobe adhesion and earlobe cleft, while acquired earlobe deformities are mainly caused by earlobe defects and improper wearing of earrings leading to earlobe clefts. Earlobe deformities generally include earlobe adhesion, earlobe cleft, overly large or missing earlobes. All these types of earlobe deformities can be corrected through surgery to achieve a relatively aesthetic appearance. Earlobes that are too small or too pointed can also be corrected through surgery. Earlobe plastic surgery is a local procedure, with most incisions made on the earlobe, and some may require additional auxiliary incisions below or behind the earlobe.
Who needs earlobe reconstruction surgery? Although earlobe deformities do not cause any functional impairments, because the earlobe is the place where earrings are worn, those who seek earlobe plastic surgery or reconstruction do so for aesthetic reasons.
Methods of earlobe reconstruction surgery:
The doctor will perform a V-shaped incision on the damaged part of your fragile earlobe for direct approximation and suturing, or cut the edge of the earlobe's skin, design two "Z" arms and cut them, then exchange the positions of the flaps and suture them before separately suturing the front and back skin. If your earlobe is completely torn off, a flap can be created in the mastoid region to reconstruct the earlobe. When designing, it should be larger than the original earlobe, and if necessary, the flap can be delayed.
Characteristics after earlobe reconstruction surgery:
Antibiotics are routinely used for 3-5 days post-surgery. Avoid piercing the ear for a short period and avoid external force impact.
Contraindications for earlobe reconstruction surgery:
People with hypertrophic scars are not suitable for surgery.