Earlobe repair for 10 year old. Should I take her to a pediatric doctor or a regular cosmetic surgeon? (Photo)

Question

My 10 year old has had a spilt earlobe since she was 1. I’ve been looking for a doctor to do the procedure but not sure if there’s a pediatric doctor that i would need to take her to or a regular cosmetic surgeon. What is the best option?

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question. Your daughter would benefit from seeing a plastic surgeon office for this procedure, as it is something we perform quite regularly and are comfortable performing. Unless your pediatrician does this procedure regularly, I would seek out plastic surgery offices. Make sure whoever and wherever you pick are child friendly and seem like a good friendly, calm environment for your child! Good luck!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 surgeon

Irena Karanetz, MD · Answer

Hello,

And thank you for the question.

Based on the photo, your daughter appears to be a good candidate for earlobe reconstruction surgery.  It can sometimes be covered by insurance.

It is usually safe to re-pierce the earlobes 6-8 weeks following earlobe repair surgery.

I typically recommend to re-pierce right next to the preexisting scar because the tissues are the strongest there.

I suggest that you seek an in person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon for best cosmetic results.

I hope this helps.

Dr. Irena Karanetz
Fellowship-Trained
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

If the patient can tolerate local anesthesia then it can be done by a plastic surgeon in the office and costs $400.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Leila Kasrai, MD, FRCSC · Answer

A plastic surgeon would be acceptable, as long as whomever you choose has experience in cosmetic ear surgery. and is comfortable operating on children. Pediatricians don’t perform surgery.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Problem like this is best to be addressed by a plastic surgeon, in local anesthesia. Consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon should be your next step. Good luck.

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

A board certified plastic or facial plastic surgeon would be your best bet for repairing this defect. Both of these specialties are trained to not only perform the repair but also should be familiar, based on their required training, with pediatric dosing of medications such as local anesthetics that would be necessary for the procedure.

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

This is the sort of thing you'd want a facial plastic surgeon to fix. If your child is very calm and mature it can be repaired in the office easily with a little bit of local anesthesia.  Should be a straightforward and quick issue and the ear can be repierced about a month later.

Whitney Pafford, MD · Answer

Although Pediatric Surgeons are incredibly skilled and technically able to repair this, I don't believe it is something they do often. A Pediatrician is not a surgeon so I would not recommend them for a cosmetic closure, but they can definitely point you in the right direction of someone who can. A simple closure (meaning excising the skin and repairing the tear in a straight line) can cause a notch at the bottom of the earlobe as the scar contracts during the healing process. It's important to go to someone who regularly repairs torn earlobes so they understand how to prevent this from happening. Even a small notch at the bottom of the earlobe can be noticeable. Facial Plastic Surgeons, Ear Nose and Throat Surgeons, and Plastic Surgeons all regularly repair these injuries so I would recommend seeing one of those providers in your local area.

Nancy de Kleer, MD, FRCSC (Plast) · Answer

Ear lobe repairs are common surgeries for plastic surgeons.  I recommend you contact a plastic surgeons office to ensure they do this type of repair and can do it for children in their facility. 
All the best to you,
Dr. Nancy de Kleer