My right earlobe is not fully torn but I would like surgery. What exactly can be done? (photos)

Question

When I was younger my right earring was pulled and now I have this big line in my ear. I would like to get surgery so both earlobes can be aligned. People sometimes think my earring is falling because of the torn earlobe. What kind of surgery can be done? Will it have to be torn fully then sewed back up? How much will it cost I live in north jersey? Also iv been reading how doctors use different techniques when they sew it back together. I would like no scar if that could be possibke. Thank you!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Earlobe surgery is composed of several techniques that can either repair torn earlobes (split earlobes) or correct overly redundant earlobe tissue from piercings or genetics or stretching. Our HIDEF earlobe repair includes a recontouring of the earlobe contour using multilayered sutures to reapproximate the curvature of the earlobe; while simultaneously restoring contour to the ear. In patients with pixie ears after facelift surgery, an alternate technique is used to reduce the dependance of the earlobe on the facelift flap. Facelift surgery can reshape the earlobe and this requires restoration. Sutures are usually taken out within 10 days and the wound is repierced in 4-6 weeks thereafter. Keloid scars must be addressed in patients with known history for scarring.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

Earlobe repair is a very common procedure. Frequently, we have patients who will have the procedure done the same day as the consultation. Typically, the cost is between $450-850 per earlobe, depending on the severity and the length of the procedure. The length of time the ears have been gauged should have no effect on the procedure. As long as the tissue is no longer irritated or inflamed, there is no reason not to give it a try. Gauged ears are sometimes more difficult than some other earlobe repairs since the tissue is so over stretched, but we are still able to create a natural looking earlobe. You can get your ear re pierced about 6 weeks after and should be included in the pricing.

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

It is not uncommon to see stretched earlobe piercings that patients desire to have closed.  Sometimes the piercing becomes stretched out like yours, as seen in your photos, and sometimes these stretched earlobe piercings go on to tear completely through. For stretched piercings like yours, I typically numb up the ear lobe really well, and I then excise the skin, and in your case I would likely cut all the way through the earlobe, and close everything back up.  Sutures are removed in 7 days, the procedure isn't very painful at all, and 4-6 weeks later you may repierce. You will have  a small scar, but as time passes its appearance will fade quite a bit. Thanks for sharing!

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Earlobe repair due to tears from piercing is a very common procedure.  The earlobe can be repaired either if it is completely torn or just elongated.  Any surgical procedure will produce a scar, but normally the scar from earlobe repair is not very noticeable.  After the tear is repaired, it can be re-pierced at a later date.  I normally wait about 2 months before re-piercing.

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

Earlobe piercings can be wide from a variety of reasons. Once it has become wide you cannot do much other than surgical repair. It involves removing a round area of skin from the piercing and then stitching together the skin with two layers of stitches, one inside that is absorbable and one on the outside that is removed in one week. My fee for one ear is $600 and both ears is $1000.RegardsDr. J

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

A stretched hole from years of wearing heavy earrings or, as in this case, from an earring catching and pulling, is a fairly common problem. Many different surgical repair approaches have been described in the medical literature for dealing with these types problems, each having its proponents.In the over thirty years I have been treating such problems, I have found one technique to be quick and easy to perform, relatively inexpensive, and one which yields gratifying results. The approach consists simply of first numbing the elongated hole or the partially torn area with a small amount of local anesthesia consisting of lidocaine with epinephrine. Following this, the inner sides of the walls of the tear are lightly cauterized, essentially creating a fresh wound.  Next, the wound is tightly taped together with steristrips. In a  few days the walls of the freshly-created wound heal together closing the defect permanently. While repair of a partial tear can be easily and quickly accomplished in this manner, or by more traditional surgical methods, a residual scar is nonetheless inevitable.Once the treated site completely heals, I usually suggest that both earlobes be repierced through a new location, nearby to the previous site (but not through the healed area). The reason for this is that healed wounds tend not to be as strong as the original tissue and would be more likely to stretch once again. The whole procedure takes no more than five minutes to perform. Following repiercing, the new earrings usually mask any evidence of the retreatment.

Kristin A. Boehm, MD · Answer

Stretched or elongated piercing holes are not uncommon.  In a case like yours where the split does not go all the way through the border of the earlobe, the affected portion can be excised or cored out under local anesthesia.  Stitches are then used to repair the fresh wound edges on both the front and back side of the ear.  The stitches are removed one week later and repiercing can be performed 8-10 weeks after that.  In an effort to prevent recurrence I recommend limiting the use of heavy earrings, refraining from wearing earrings to bed or during exercise and using caution with cell phone when wearing large or heavy earrings.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Many times if it is a partial tear, and the lower border is completely intact, then repair can be done on the inside only.  I will split the ear if it is almost completly torn.

M. Dean Vistnes, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

You cannot have and incision without leaving a scar however, the earlobe heals up very well. The procedure starts with a numbing injection to the area, followed by the excision of the inner edges of the tear or elongated piercing, then the incision will be closed with a few stitches. The stitches are removed in 5 days and you can re-pierce the ear in 2-3 months.Dean Vistnes.

My right earlobe is not fully torn but I would like surgery. What exactly can be done? (photos)

Answers (9)

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