Reconstruction of lower third auricular defects

Defects of the lower third of the auricle, also known as the lobule, are relatively common, especially among patients who wear earrings. Lobular defects have many causes including congenital deformity, trauma, gauge defects, and extirpation for malignancy. Patients may also wish to have their earlobes cosmetically reduced after elongation due to years of wearing heavy, pendulous earrings. Because the auricle has many convex and concave surfaces of each with different amounts of elasticity, rigidity, and flexibility, the types of defects and their reconstruction are widely varied. In this article, we discuss common isolated lobular defects, their management, and their reconstruction.