Immediatley after my face lift, my right ear felt like an elephant ear & not my own ear. My left ear, howevev, was just a bit numb. My left ear was fine and it retunred to normal within a few weeks. My right ear has improved (I can touch and bend the ear lobe again and it looks ok), but there is still numbness and pain. It has been 3.5 months since surgery. Is this normal? How do I know if my auricular nerve was cut/damaged?
July 18, 2019
Answer: Damage to Greater Auricular Nerve in Facelift Surgery This nerve is certainly within the surgical field of a facelift. Your surgeon will have a good understanding if the nerve was injured during the procedure. The greater auricular nerve is commonly seen intra-op when it travels over the large muscle behind the ear (sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle). The nerve is protected by a thin fascia and it should be quite evident during the facelift procedure, if this layer has been entered inadvertently. Although your symptoms indicate a possible nerve injury, you experienced already quite a bit of improvement. This should give us hope that the process of nerve recovery will continue.
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July 18, 2019
Answer: Damage to Greater Auricular Nerve in Facelift Surgery This nerve is certainly within the surgical field of a facelift. Your surgeon will have a good understanding if the nerve was injured during the procedure. The greater auricular nerve is commonly seen intra-op when it travels over the large muscle behind the ear (sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle). The nerve is protected by a thin fascia and it should be quite evident during the facelift procedure, if this layer has been entered inadvertently. Although your symptoms indicate a possible nerve injury, you experienced already quite a bit of improvement. This should give us hope that the process of nerve recovery will continue.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
July 18, 2019
Answer: Numbness after facelift Hi,The great auricular nerve is the most commonly injured/cut nerve during facelift surgery. You are experiencing symptoms associated with great auricular nerve injury. The most definitive way to know if the nerve was cut is surgical exploration; but that is unnecessary. In many cases, sensation returns to an acceptable level but it can take many months. I recommend close follow up with your surgeon.Best,
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
July 18, 2019
Answer: Numbness after facelift Hi,The great auricular nerve is the most commonly injured/cut nerve during facelift surgery. You are experiencing symptoms associated with great auricular nerve injury. The most definitive way to know if the nerve was cut is surgical exploration; but that is unnecessary. In many cases, sensation returns to an acceptable level but it can take many months. I recommend close follow up with your surgeon.Best,
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
