Earlobe Repair / Rejuvenation

Northern Virginia, Fairfax and Manassas

By: George Bitar M.D. & Robert F. Centeno M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

Introduction

People are very peculiar about their earlobes! Some of the conditions we treat at our institute are partially or totally torn earlobes, keloid scars of earlobes, elongated earlobes, or earlobes with a fold or crease in them. Earlobe repair or rejuvenation can be a simple but very rewarding procedure.

Torn earlobes usually occur to women who either have worn heavy earrings or had a child pull on their earring. An earlobe could be torn partially or totally, and the surgical treatment is adjusted to the nature of the problem. This technique can also apply to people with keloid scars of their earlobes after having an ear piercing.

For the patient who is bothered by a protruding or elongated earlobe, which usually comes with age, a wedge of skin may be resected, thus shortening the earlobe. If a crease appears in the middle of the earlobe and creates a fold, then injecting the ear with Restylane or Radiesse can solve the problem for months to years, but not permanently.
 

Preparing for the Procedure

An initial consultation is set-up where we discuss your options, and whether you are a good candidate for the procedure. Since this is an in-office procedure, preparation is minimal. Since the ear has excellent blood supply, patients are encouraged to stop medications that cause bleeding, such as aspirin, or aspirin products (Motrin or Ibuprofen), a week before this procedure. Mild to moderate pain is alleviated with local anesthesia.

The Torn Earlobe Repair Procedure

The procedure takes about 30 - 60 minutes depending on the situation, and whether it is one or both ears. If a patient is a good candidate for the procedure, a topical anesthetic is applied. If the tear is not all the way through the edge of the skin, we  will cut a thin layer of skin around it and close the hole. It cannot be just sutured shut without removing a thin layer of skin. If the tear goes all the way to the edge of the skin, then a thin layer of skin is resected, and the two skin edges are closed together with a special technique called a “z-plasty” to increase the chance that the ear contour stays nice and uniform, thus avoiding an indentation where the scar lays.

Post-operative Care

Our office will provide you with a detailed post-operative instruction sheet that will be individualized to your needs.

For more information about this procedure call our office and speak to our friendly staff member at 703-206-0506.

Information on this web site is for information only. Do not use the information to diagnose or treat your plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery problems. Please contact your plastic surgeon with all questions and concerns. 

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