Earlobe Repair Surgery

At Funk Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Etai Funk offers earlobe repair for torn or split earlobes. Ear piercings are common among both men and women, however, put earlobes at risk for tears. Tearing and stretching of the earlobes are based often on the size, style, and weight of an earring. Over time heavy or large earrings can contribute to the stretching of the earlobe opening. Large earrings that dangle are sometimes caught on clothing or grasped by a child. The result may be a partially or completely torn earlobe. Sometimes people also stretch their earlobes with "gauges" and eventually choose to close their piercing. Gauged earlobes are more difficult to correct as the earlobe has been significantly thinned and stretched.

Repair of the Earlobe

Repair of a stretched or torn earlobe occurs in our Houston office using a local anesthetic. The procedure consists of "freshening" the edges of the split and placement of sutures to complete the repair of the earlobe. In most pierced ears, the pierced hole gradually enlarges over time. If it tears, the final tear is usually just through a tiny piece of tissue at the bottom of the lobe. In this case, immediate repair will not take care of the skin covered slot, so reconstruction is delayed until after the wound has healed and inflammation has diminished. However, if the tear starts from a tiny pierced hole, immediate repair is an option.

Depending on the deformity, reconstruction can take different forms. In all methods, the skin lining the slot is removed creating a raw edge to rebuild. These raw edges are then approximated using sutures or stitches. An earlobe reduction can be performed concomitantly with the repair of the torn earlobe.

Recovery After Your Earlobe Procedure

Sutures are removed 5-8 days after the repair procedure. A thin layer of antibiotic ointment is the only dressing applied in most cases. A little drainage from the wound is to be expected. Clip-on earrings can be worn one week after the procedure. The earlobe is then re-pierced approximately 6-12 weeks after the procedure if desired.

Testimonials

"From someone who suffers from anxiety, the second I met with Dr. Funk his kind eyes reassures you all will be fine. I had been putting off reconstructive surgery for years as I just didn’t know if the procedure would warrant the pain and discomfort of recovery. I am so happy I sought out Dr. Funk and his professional and welcoming staff. Beyond happy with my results. Thank you Dr. Funk." - RealSelf.com