Revisiting Gavello's procedure for single-stage reconstruction of the earlobe: The vascular basis, technique and clinical uses.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Deformities or loss of the earlobe may be congenital, or acquired due to trauma, bites, burns or tumour excision. A variety of single-stage and two-stage procedures have been described for earlobe reconstruction, of which Gavello's procedure was one of the earliest. OBJECTIVE: To revisit Gavello's procedure with reference to the vascular supply of the flap, and discuss the relevance of the technique in current practice. METHODS: The authors discuss the vascular basis of Gavello's flap, and describe the clinical application of the single-stage Gavello's procedure in diverse clinical situations, including congenital absence of earlobe, post-burn earlobe deformity and traumatic amputation of the earlobe. RESULTS: Excellent cosmetic results have been achieved in all different clinical situations in the authors' experience, with preservation of earlobe shape and volume, good colour match and a well-concealed scar in the donor area. DISCUSSION: Gavello's procedure is a simple, one-stage procedure that relies entirely on local tissue for earlobe reconstruction; the flap has a predictable vascular supply, skin grafting is not required and the procedure can be used for large defects. An intact donor area over the postauricular mastoid region is a prerequisite. CONCLUSION: The simple, century-old Gavello's procedure is still of great value for reconstruction of earlobe defects of diverse etiology.