Fixing Ear Lobe Tear for a 18 Month Old Baby?

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
Realself100 surgeon

The tear will not fix itself. It needs to be repaired. You are better off doing it now before she gets older and will not handle the procedure well. It will still be painful to watch her cry during the procedure. Make sure to use Emla cream ( a skin numbing cream) for one hour before the procedure to reduce any pain of the injection needle. Young girls like wearing ear rings and jewelry, don't deprive her of that. Also please print out these instructions that I give to all my patients with earlobe issues and follow these with her forever.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING EARLOBE REPAIR

1. Keep the earlobe clean by using cotton balls soaked in hydrogen peroxide three times a day. Then apply over the counter antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin, Polysporin, Triple antibiotic cream or Neosporin.
2. Return in one week to have the sutures removed.
3. Three weeks after surgery you can start wearing light clip on ear rings.
4. Six weeks after surgery you can get your ears pierced.
4. Wear only nickel free jewelry.
5. Do not wear any heavy ear rings,
6. Ear rings should be the last thing you put on before your leave the house and the first thing you take off when you get in the house.
7. Do not use the phone for prolonged periods of time or take the ear rings out.
8. Do not use pull over shirts or sweaters while wearing the ear rings.
9. Take off the ear rings at night

 

Regards

Dr. J

Disclaimer: This answer is not intended to give a medical opinion and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case. 

It is certainly possible to do under local anesthesia. Just be prepared to have her held very tightly and be ready for lots of crying!  most plastic surgeons are so accustomed to suturing babies in the ER during their practice, so should be able to handle this as well.  one surgeons may recommend waiting until she is older and can cooperate with the procedure.

Dear caeverest,


If the earlobe tear is still fresh, you can apply a bandage across the wound, bringing the wound edges together, for a week (change the dressing daily)

2mm is pretty small and it should heal well

You may want a plastic surgeon to take a look if you are concerned

Either way, it can be repaired if it does not heal properly


Best regards,

Nima Shemirani

Although you may receive a variety of different opinions, I would vote for leaving the area (and your baby) alone for now. You may be surprised how well things heal without intervention.

 Best wishes.