How do I care for dissolvable stitches in earlobe?

For a fresh surgical incision, within a week, I typically recommend over the counter antibioitic ointment such as bacitracin or Neosporin (Triple antibiotic ointment). After one week if the sutures have not dissolved you can switch to Vaseline, aquaphor, or other non-fragrance moisturizers to keep the incision moist while healing. Routine cleaning in the shower is OK but do not submerge the incision in water (bath/pool) for one month following the closure.

Earlobe repair is a common procedure in our plastic surgery office. I employ a technique that involves removing the excess scar tissue and reapproximating the tissue planes in multiple layers to recontour the earlobe after gauges, torn earlobes, or stretched out earlobes. Sometimes, the same procedure is used to restore contour to a pixie ear after facelift surgery or facial surgery. Gauge correction is a popular treatment. Insurance typically does not cover the procedure in California, but it all depends on your insurance policy. Costs are typically between six hundred dollars and one thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the repair. Pixie ear repair involves correction of the facelift flap and is a more complex procedure that requires anesthesia. Aftercare for earlobe repair involves proper wound care, Plato’s Scar Serum at least twice daily, with repiercing of the earlobe if requested, in 6 weeks. It is best to have a plastic surgeon perform the procedure and help with scars in the post-procedure period. Plato’s Scar Serum, wound care, and Neosporin are used.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian

I commonly use dissolvable sutures for the earlobe repairs that I do. They usually dissolve after about a week.During that time I have my patients apply Bacitracin ointment to the suture lines once daily. Thanks for asking!

There is hardly anything you should need to do to care for dissolvable stitches in the earlobe. They are designed to go away after a period of time. If they do not, then the surgeon can remove them. Sometimes they can go away faster if you have been instructed to put ointment on top of them.

Different surgeons have different protocols that work best for them.  Personally I have patients apply antibiotic ointment twice daily until they are seen a week later for suture removal.  Showering is permissible to keep the sites clean.  Contact your surgeon to best understand what post operative instructions they would like you to follow.

You can always call the office to get exact instructed. Typically, for dissolving sutures, we have patients gently clean the incision with diluted hydrogen peroxide, 50/50 mixture with saline, and then apply ointment. This should be done about 2-3 times a day. After each cleaning, ointment should be applied. Sutures will usually dissolves/ spit out once the underlying skin/ soft tissue has fully healed. Hope this helps

Thank you for your question.
Every plastic surgery office has their own set of pre and post operative instructions that they recommend their patients follow. It is most important to follow the instructions of your surgeon.

I strongly advise you to contact your surgeon or their office and follow their postoperative advice. You should not have surgery with one surgeon and then follow another surgeon's advice for the care after your surgery. If you were not given written advice before you went home then telephoning your surgeon or their office should get you the advice you need.Best wishes

Thank you for your question.  Maintenance of your sutures depends upon the procedure and the type of sutures. The best thing to do is to contact your surgeon for recommendations. That said,  I usually allow my patients to get the ears wet in the shower and apply bacitracin to the sutures 2x/day.  Again, best to consult your surgeon. Good luck!