Earlobe Repair and Reduction

What is an earlobe repair?

Ear piercings can stretch, which occasionally results in an accidental tear of the earlobe. Some patients have deliberately stretched their earlobes (tribal ears), but now wish to have this repaired.

For both scenarios, repairing the deformity is a short procedure, carried out under a local anaesthetic, ensuring that there are no indentations or contour deformities during the healing process. To reduce the risk of the earlobe splitting in the future, I also use the addition of an extra lining layer to improve the strength of the repair.

What is an earlobe reduction?

An earlobe reduction is a procedure that reduces and corrects the drooping, overly large, or pendulous earlobes, which improve facial symmetry and proportions.

There are 2 techniques:

  • A wedge excision
  • and/or peripheral edge excision.

When I review you in clinic, we will decide which of the two options is more suitable for you.

These procedures are normally performed in the clinic under local anaesthetic.

The procedure takes approximately 20 minutes per ear to perform. I recommend you take 1g of Tylenol before the procedure to minimise any discomfort.

During the procedure local anaesthetic is administered to numb the area. The split or excess skin is excised, and the edges freshened, so that they will knit together properly.

If you wish to keep the piercing, then a small tongue of tissue is used to recreate the earring hole and ensure that it is supported, so that it does not rip through again. The raw edges are carefully stitched together to ensure that there is no step in the tissue.

The sutures need to be removed, by the nurse in Clinic, approximately 5 days after the procedure.

There will be some discomfort for the first day, which should respond to Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Occasionally bruising may occur, but this should rapidly resolve.

Having cosmetic surgery should be a very positive experience. Complications are infrequent and usually minor. However, no surgery is without risk, and it is important that you are aware of possible complications. All the risks will be discussed in detail at your consultation. However, if you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss them with me. Decisions about cosmetic surgery should never be rushed.

These risks can be divided into those specific to the surgery and those that relate to the anaesthesia.

Scars: These are hidden within skin creases wherever possible and tend to settle remarkably well and are barely perceptible. However, some patients heal with noticeable thickened, thin or stretched scars.

Bruising and swelling: This is very common and may take a couple of weeks to settle.

Haematoma: This can happen if a bleed occurs under the skin, allowing a large blood clot to form. However, if a haematoma does develop it tends to occur within 4 to 6 hours post-surgery.

Any increase in pain in the ears should be reported immediately so that treatment can be given. Sometimes patients need to have this blood washed out with another short operation. If a haematoma is treated early then it should not affect the result of surgery.

Infection: This is rare but may require a course of antibiotics.

Wound healing problems: These are very rare but more likely to occur if there is an untreated haematoma or infection. This can cause pressure on the skin, possibly resulting in opening of the incision. Further surgery may be required if this occurs.

Asymmetry: Ears are never identical as our faces are asymmetrical. Whilst I will always endeavour to improve symmetry, it may not be possible to completely correct, due to the confines of your anatomy.

Unpredictable results: The ears are living tissue and do not always heal as expected. Rarely, a second operation may be required to refine your results.

Re-splitting: If you continue to wear heavy earrings or piercings, there is a chance that the earlobe tear could recur.

All the risks will be discussed in detail at your consultation. However, if you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me.

Dressings are not required for either procedure.

If you are feeling well after the operation, you will be able to go home soon after the procedure. You will not be able to drive yourself home from the Clinic.

Before you leave the clinic, you will be given a follow up appointment to see the nurse after 5 days post-operatively to remove your sutures. I normally see you in clinic 2 weeks following your procedure, unless you need to see me sooner.

Scar advice
Once the dressings are removed, I recommend that you massage the incisions, using small circular motions at least twice a day for 5 minutes. You can use any moisturising cream of your choice and apply firm pressure until it blanches.

The scars will also benefit from silicone scar gel (ScarAway® or Kelo-Cote®) twice a day, which will soften and fade them, as well as applying sunblock for 12 months to provide sun protection.

The ScarAway® can be purchased from Healthcare Pharmacy at Governors Square in Grand Cayman.

If you are feeling well, you can return to work as soon as you wish.

Try to avoid swimming for the first week, as there is a chance of infection.

You should avoid wearing earrings for at least 8 weeks following the procedure. After which, only lightweight earrings – less than 5 grams – or preferably clip-on earrings, should be worn in the future.

Surgical fees are a combination of the clinic costs, the surgeon fees and any consumables such as sutures. I do not charge additional fees for post-op appointments. The fees are based on the surgical time taken to perform the surgery, rather than procedure itself. This means that the costs are calculated fairly.

You will be given a quotation for surgery approximately 48 hours following your consultation.

Earlobe Repair and Reduction - Nicotine and Surgery