
*Corresponding author: Akshay Arun Vetal, Department of Dermatology, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Received: 19 July 2024
Accepted: 22 July 2024
Published: 17 August 2024
DOI
10.25259/CSDM_122_2024
Video 1 available on:
https://doi.org/10.25259/
CSDM_122_2024
PROBLEM
The earlobe is one of the most fleshy and mobile areas on the body, making it difficult to
keep steady during cosmetic repair. e lobuloplasty of a complete ear lobe tear (Type III)
requires precision to avoid excessive tissue removal and maintain the natural contour of the
earlobe.[1,2] Maintaining linear cuts is challenging, especially with the earlobe’s tendency to slip
during handling. Traditional methods often involve freshening the cleft margins by excising Cleft
tissue with a scalpel.[3] However, incomplete excision or over-excision can result in grooving
along the suture line, notching of the inferior margin and contour irregularities.[4] In addition,
maintaining hemostasis can be tricky, as excessive use of tumescent fluid to firm the tissue is
needed.
SOLUTION
Our innovative approach leverages the unique design of Adson dressing forceps to address these
challenges effectively [Figure 1].

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©2024 Published by Scientific Scholar on behalf of CosmoDerma

PROCEDURE
- After sterilization of the earlobe area and administration
of local anesthetic, Adson forceps are used to secure the
earlobe tissue. - The cleft margins, lateral followed by medial or vice
versa, are scored in a single sweeping motion using the
forceps [Figure 2]. - Once the margins are freshened and hemostasis is achieved,
suturing is performed using intermittent vertical mattress
sutures with polypropylene for better approximation.
ADVANTAGES OF ADSON DRESSING FORCEPS
- The fine, serrated, non-traumatic tips of the Adson
dressing forceps provide precise gripping of the earlobe
tissue, preventing slippage, and enabling adequate
excision. is prevents contour irregularities and
notching of the inferior margin [Video 1]. - The ergonomic design ensures that the cuts remain
straight and clean, pivotal for achieving a neat margin
and esthetically precise repair - The gentle pressure applied with the tips of the Adson
forceps aids in hemostasis without the need for excessive
use of epinephrine or local tumescence - Using a greater auricular nerve block with plain
lignocaine minimizes tissue distortion due to excessive
local fluid volume injection.
By emphasizing the use of Adson dressing forceps, this
method ensures a more controlled and precise lobuloplasty
procedure, improving esthetic outcomes and reducing the
risk of complications.
Ethical approval
The Institutional Review Board approval is not required.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate
patient consent.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
Use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for manuscript preparation
The authors confirm that there was no use of artificial
intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for assisting in the
writing or editing of the manuscript and no images were
manipulated using AI.
REFERENCES
- Sadasivan K, Kochunarayanan A. A revised classification
and treatment algorithm for acquired split Earlobe, with a
description of the composite technique and its outcome.
Cureus 2020;12:e10422. - Blanco-Davila F, Vasconez HC. e cleft earlobe: A review
of methods of treatment. Ann Plast Surg. 1994, 33:677-680.
10.1097/00000637-199412000-00023. - Pardue AM: Repair of torn earlobe with preservation of the
perforation for an earring. Plast Reconstr Surg 1973;51:472-3. - Niamtu J 3rd. Eleven pearls for cosmetic earlobe repair.
Dermatol Surg 2002;28:180-5.
How to cite this article: : Vetal AA, Dhurat RS, Maity A, Srivatsa KR. Enhancing precision in a complete earlobe tear repair with Adson’s forceps. CosmoDerma. 2024;4:108. doi: 10.25259/CSDM_122_2024