Otoplasty and Earlobe Repair

The embryology, anatomy, and malformations are described. The authors discuss patient selection, surgical treatment of lop-ear deformity and earlobe abnormalities, postoperative care, and complications. In performing otoplasty, it is imperative to realize that for each eminence, there is a fossa and that by recreating the normal convexities and concavities of the auricular cartilage, it is possible to create an ear that looks normal, with long-lasting results. The graduated technique for otoplasty incorporates the reduction of conchal depth and recreating the antihelix. The most consistent combination of surgical techniques is reducing conchal depth through conchal reduction and recreating the antihelix with scoring in the antihelical fossa on the posterior surface of the ear, followed by the placement of vertical mattress sutures from the scaphoid fossa to approximate the lateral conchal bowl and medial antihelix.