Hole-retaining lobeplasty for Type I ear lobe deformities

Abstract

Abstract Background: The aesthetic aspect of Type I incomplete split ear lobe is underestimated. Most of the hole-retaining techniques described for large and split ear lobes are difficult to perform in Type I deformity. Aim: (1) To conduct a pilot study based on the postoperative review of the cases of Type I ear lobe deformities surgically managed with hole-retaining lobeplasty in a tertiary care centre in South India. (2) To assess the postoperative outcome of the hole retaining lobeplasty based on the Global aesthetic improvement scale and Patient satisfaction in Likert scale. Materials and Methods: A pilot study of hole-retaining lobeplasty technique was done based on the postoperative review of 6 patients with bilateral type1 incomplete split ear lobes who were operated in our institution with the same. The results were validated based on descriptive statistics and postoperative outcomes using GAIS score and Patient Satisfaction Score measured in a Likert scale. Results: None of the patients had any postoperative complications. At six months follow up, all patients had centrally placed, circular ear holes, well settled support flap and rounded lobe contour with an average GAIS score of 4.83 ± 0.38. All the patients were satisfied with their newly created ear hole and lobe contour, with an average Patient Satisfaction Score of 4.8 ± 0.4 Conclusion: Hole- retaining lobeplasty is a simple, cost effective, single staged, day-case procedure for repair of Type I large ear holes, that can be easily duplicated by young plastic surgeons with is aesthetically better, circular and centrally placed ear hole with a more rounded ear lobe with support to prevent recurrence.