Earlobe Rejuvenation: A Fat Grafting Technique.

BACKGROUND

The earlobe demonstrates stereotypical signs of aging, including wrinkles and volume depletion.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to review the outcome of the earlobe rejuvenation developed by the senior author.

METHODS

We describe our earlobe rejuvenation technique refined over 10 years that uses fat grafting to the earlobe. Three raters assessed preoperative and postoperative photographs of 40 earlobes in 20 patients. Each earlobe was evaluated for volume deficiency, number of deep creases, depth of creases, and number of fine wrinkles. Inter-rater reliability was calculated. Earlobe length was also measured.

RESULTS

Seventeen females and 3 males with average age of 63 years were followed for an average of 26 months. Postoperative improvements were observed in earlobe volume deficiency and number of fine wrinkles (P < .05). Improvements were seen in number and depth of creases and the earlobe height, but these were not significant (P > .05). No complications relating to the earlobe were observed in these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Fat grafting can be an effective means for earlobe rejuvenation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Therapeutic.