LAUSR

Anodularmelanoma in the left earlobewas removedby Mohs micrographic surgery in a 79-year-old patient, followed by parotid sentinel node dissection (Figure 1). As a result, the earlobe was amputated, and the sentinel node dissection scar limited the options for its anatomical restoration. Taking into account that the preauricular and infraauricular donor skin is unavailable, how would you reconstruct the total earlobe and surrounding defect? Resolution The earlobe is an aesthetic subunitwith important cosmetic and cultural significance. Optimal reconstruction can be difficult to achieve due to the earlobe’s 3-dimensional shape and consistency. The final defect, scar location, and surrounding donor skin viability will determine the appropriate reconstructive method. Several techniques for total earlobe reconstruction have been described in the literature. One of the earliest methods consists of an anteriorly based bilobed flap that folds on itself to form,with each lobe respectively, the anterior and posterior aspects of the earlobe. This was the starting point for many other earlobe reconstructive techniques using bilobed folded flaps, such as the ones described by Alanis, D’Hooghe, and Brent.