Earlobe Rotation For Prevention and Correction of Pixie Ear During Rhytidecotmy in Asian Patients.

[BACKGROUND] The most common deformity of the ear or earlobe appearing after a facelift is the pixie ear deformity.

[OBJECTIVES] The purpose of this study was to devise and exercise a method to prevent ear deformity, including pixie ear, when performing a facelift and to correct it if it has already occurred.

[METHODS] Extended deep-plane rhytidectomy was performed between January 2017 and May 2024, and 76 patients who had passed 12 months post-surgery were included in this study. Group 1 consisted of 40 patients, who underwent W-plasty of incision and combined Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNTA) injection around the incision site. Group 2 consisted of 36 patients, who underwent rotation of the lower earlobe after W-plasty of incision and combined Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNTA) injection around the incision site.

[RESULTS] In a postoperative comparison between the two groups, Group 2 demonstrated superior outcomes over Group 1 by 8.4% on the right and 8.9% on the left, which was statistically significant (p=0.007, p=0.006).

[CONCLUSIONS] Partial rotation of the earlobe is demonstrated as a practical and effective surgical approach to prevent and correct pixie ear deformity.