Torn Earlobe Repair Houston

Plastic surgery to repair a torn earlobe is a frequent occurrence. Piercing an earlobe puts it at risk to tear. The size, style, and weight of an earring can contribute to the stretching of the earlobe opening. Large earrings that dangle are caught on clothing or grasped by a child. The result may be a partially or completely torn earlobe. Repair of a torn earlobe occurs in the facial plastic surgery office setting 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.

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.

After Your Earlobe Repair

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 repierced approximately 6-12 weeks after the procedure.

Etai Funk is a Houston plastic surgeon specializing in the face. He is a board certified, fellowship trained, facial plastic surgeon. He practices in Houston, Texas treating patients from Katy, Memorial City, Memorial, The Woodlands, Spring Cypress, and Sugarland.  Dr Funk also sees many international patients for plastic surgery in Houston and from all over the US.