Neuroma after facelift: should I have plastic surgeon fix it or a neurosurgeon?

Question

Sad to say after two long years the feeling has not returned to my left ear after my face & neck lift. It has caused me so much discomfort . I have been having micro needling done on the scars and the pea size lump to hopefully get some feelings back. Just wondering if a nurosurgon or the plastic surgon is best to try and fix a nuroma?

Franklin D. Richards, MD · Answer

This is a very rare occurrence after a facelift. A neurosurgeon or a plastic surgeon could remove the neuroma, but a plastic surgeon may be more familiar with this area. Though removing the neuroma may remove the discomfort, it probably will not result in any return of ear sensation.

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD · Answer

For peripheral nerves, a surgeon familiar with the typical anatomy is needed  Usually, that would be a Plastic Surgeon, who are also trained to deal with peripheral nerve surgery in most cases.  Good luck

David A. Caplin, MD · Answer

In most cases further surgery is not necessary if numbness of the ear is your only complaint.  It may improve over the years.  If you are having a lot of pain in your neck, at the site where the nerve injury occurred, then sometimes surgery can be performed to reduce the pain (rather then to restore feeling to the ear) .  I would discuss this with your surgeon to get his/her opinion.

Brian M. Kinney, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Neuromas are relatively uncommon but
well known phenomena. Neurogsurgeons and plastic surgeons are both quite
capable of taking care of neuromas. In the face, it is likely that the plastic
surgeon has more experience as neurosurgeons primarily spend most of the time
treating in the spine or in the cranium.

Summit Kundaria, MD · Answer

suze0450,
Thanks for the question.  I think that the neuroma can be safely excised by a wide variety of surgeons, and anyone familiar with the anatomy should be able to do it well.  I do not think that cutting it out will improve the numbness in your ear, which may be permanent if there has been no progress after 2 years.  Good luck!

Neuroma after facelift: should I have plastic surgeon fix it or a neurosurgeon?

Answers (7)

Answer: Neuroma

Answer: Neuroma

Answer: Neuroma excision

Answer: Neuroma excision

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Neuroma after facelift: should I have plastic surgeon fix it or a neurosurgeon?

Answers (7)

Answer: Neuroma

Answer: Neuroma

Answer: Neuroma excision

Answer: Neuroma excision

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facelift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.