Earlobe Repair and Reconstruction

A variety of individuals may benefit from repair of damaged, torn, or altered earlobes. The most common indication for earlobe reduction is a dilated earlobe from a gauge-style earlobe stretching, sometimes referred to as “plugging”. Tribal earlobes are another common ear alteration that may be repaired. Other patients may have suffered a torn or split earlobe from a traumatic injury related to an ear piercing. Occasionally, hypertrophic scarring or keloids may occur after ear piercing necessitating an earlobe repair.

Earlobe surgery is sometimes referred to as otoplasty, a medical term that refers to a surgical procedure performed on a misshapen ear. In the case of dilated or torn earlobe, the procedure can be performed without discomfort under local anesthetic delivered from small, painless numbing injections of lidocaine. The dilated or torn earlobe is removed through a small wedge-shaped excision or occasionally with a more involved tissue rearrangement called an advancement or rotation flap. This removes the altered or scarred area of the skin and brings together fresh, unaffected edges of the earlobe skin. To complete the procedure, very fine sutures are placed at the site of repair and removed in 5-7 days.

A mild amount of discomfort can be experienced following the procedure, which can be alleviated by a light dose of oral pain medication if needed. A small pressure bandage is applied to the ear area to reduce the chance of bleeding following the procedure. The bandage is left in place for 48 hours following surgery, at which time normal wound care including once to twice daily cleansing of the area is performed. Small stitches called sutures are typically removed around 5 days after the earlobe repair.

Yes, a scar results anytime the skin is excised. However, the scar itself is minimal, in many cases imperceptible. Oftentimes, the scar falls along the natural fold between the ear and the side of the face. Dr. Palm often offers supplemental treatment of the scar with a fractionated CO2 laser to further minimize the appearance of the scar, leading to an excellent cosmetic outcome.

Yes. As with any surgical procedure, there are possible risks. Side effects are unlikely and typically mild in nature. These risks include but are not limited to the following: mild discomfort after the procedure, infection, hypertrophic scarring, and sensitivity in the area of treatment.

The cost of surgical earlobe repair depends on the severity of the affected ear. There is a charge per affected earlobe, typically the cost ranges from $750 to $1500 per earlobe.

Yes. Like other areas of the face, our earlobes lose volume over time. A small amount of an injectable dermal filler like Juvederm or Restylane can be used to balance and re-inflate the earlobe, allowing drooping earlobes to be an improved cushion for stud earrings to rest. The procedure is virtually painless, with little to no downtime and results typically last 6-12 months, sometimes longer.