Split Earlobe Repair Surgery Solutions
A torn earlobe usually results from wearing heavy earrings, having earrings yanked out and traumatic injury. Split earlobe repair surgery is a simple, nearly painless surgery that fixes the tear. The minimally invasive surgery is an outpatient procedure that heals quickly. Local anesthesia is used, plus a physician may prescribe antibiotics and painkillers.
Here, Dr. U discusses how torn or split earlobes are usually treated:
CAUSES OF TORN EARLOBES
Ear piercings are usually the main culprit of split earlobes. Over time, earrings can elongate the ear-piercing hole. If earrings are heavy, constant wear can stretch the hole to the edge and create the tear. Children are especially notorious for ripping out the earrings of others, which may gash the ear. Clothing and other instances may also accidently tug on the earrings, which also damages the lobe.
Another possibility of tearing and infection is inexpensive earrings. Those with nickel and other cheap metals may irritate the lobes, cause an allergic reaction or result in an infection. Additionally, traumatic injuries that affect the ear may result in tears. Whichever the cause, split earlobe repair surgery can alleviate the issue.
Before (left) and after (right) split earlobe repair surgery, which takes one to two hours on average.*
SPLIT EARLOBE REPAIR SURGERY
Split earlobe repair surgery excises the edges of the torn earlobe and sews it back together. Three techniques are usually applied:
- Structured Straight
- Z-Plastied
- L-Shaped
The structured straight technique excises the edges in a straight line. This line may gather up the lobe over time, resulting in a shortened earlobe. It may also create a “W” shape if it bunches up. Both the “Z” and “L” techniques excise the edges similar to each letter’s shape. These non-straight excisions prevent the scar from bunching up in the future. The split earlobe repair surgery technique performed is dependent on the original shape of the earlobe tear. The shape of the earlobe is also considered as some techniques work better on different shapes and sizes than others.
RE-PIERCING AFTER SPLIT EARLOBE REPAIR
Re-piercing is possible following split earlobe repair surgery. Ideally, patients should wait for six months after the procedure to ensure complete healing and strength of the earlobe. Re-piercing is possible, however, at six to eight weeks following split earlobe repair surgery.
Patients are advised to only wear studs at six weeks and make sure earrings are gold, sterling silver or platinum. Pure metal jewelry will not react with the surrounding tissue. Earrings with nickel should be completely avoided due to the potential for allergic reactions and irritations from the metal. The new earring hole should be on the side of the scar and not on it.
OTHER PROCEDURE CONSIDERATIONS
The procedure takes between one and two hours on average. It addresses the earlobe’s outer surface, fatty tissue within and skin on the backside. The tear is sutured, with the stitches remaining for a week. Like most procedures that simply improve appearance, most insurance companies will not cover split earlobe repair surgery.