Can Darwian Tubercle on Helix of Ear Be Removed Without Scarring?

Thank you for your question. Darwin's tubercle is a congenital ear condition which often presents as a thickening on the helix at the junction of the upper and middle thirds. This is a normal anatomic variant present in about 10% of the population. If the appearance of this condition causes concern, it can be improved with a minor surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia in the office. Following surgery, the ear displays a more smooth contour. Any surgical incision leaves a scar by definition, but the incision site is usually not noticeable.

    This tubercle can be removed under local anesthesia with a scar hidden on the back of the ear, but you will have a scar.  Kenneth Hughes, MD ear pinning Los Angeles, CA

A Darwinian tubercle on the ear needs to be removed surgically.  Whenever an incision is made, a scar will form.  So, it cannot be removed without a scar, but it can be removed to hide the scar so that it is not noticeable.  

A small quarter inch incision is usually all that is necessary from behind the ear to go in and remove the Darwin tubercle.  This is a simple procedure done under local anesthesia.  A small inconspicuous scar on the back of the ear is all that will be required.

In addition to the comments below, a Darwinian tubercle can be made up of skin and cartilage. Removal of the underlying cartilage excess alone may not correct the problem. The overlying skin, which has been "stretched" by the underlying cartilage, may not completely shrink to conform to the new cartilage shape. Thus skin excision may in fact be desired, which may require an incsion along the udersurface of the helix.

No surgery can be performed without a scar, the question is how discreet will the scar be. In removal of the excess cartilage that is the source of the thickening on the inner edge of the helical rim (Darwinian's Tubercle), the incision is placed on the underside of the rim. So even during the healing process it can not be seen. So in this example of ear surgery, the procedure is done with no resultant visible ear scarring.

No and ... yes. There will need to be a scar but it can be hidden in the fold of the ear and closed very carefully. This creates a scar that should not be noticeable to anyone other than yourself. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACS