Does Greater Auricular Nerve Damage ALWAYS Cause Ear Numbness?

Numbness usually means the nerve has been totally cut. If there is some discomfort or electric like feelings the nerve is typically intact and just taking time to heal from swelling

The greater auricular nerve is in jeopardy during a facelift. The trauma should always be minor and can result in anesthesia and possibly discomfort for a while after the operation. This should resolve with time it sounds like your trend is favorable.

When this nerve is cut, numbness of significant parts of the ear will result. Sensation of pulling, stinging, aching, itching or tightness can occur as part of the natural healing process and maybe greatly dependent on the patient's healing rather than on surgical technique.

Your symptoms do not sound like a Greater Auricular Nerve transection, which would consist of numbness of the lower third of the auricle.  Your symptoms are more consistent with significant tension of the skin closure around your ear, possibly with sutures anchored on the auricular cartilage.  With some mini-lifts, tension on the skin is used to obtain the results with the resulting symptoms you describe. 

Thank you for sharing your story. Sometimes when a nerve is damaged, partially, as it heals it can lead to abnormal sensation or even pain. This can resolve over time and there may be a role for supplements or steroids. If there is not a resolution, in rare cases, a traumatic neuroma may have formed and could require removal in order to stop the discomfort.

It is possible that you could have sustained some damage to the nerve during your facelift procedure. It does typically resolve with time an can take up to 1.5 years or more in some cases. That being said I would go to your surgeon and get their input as sometimes there are treatments that can be done to lessen your discomfort. 

Hello,

Thank you for the question.  If a nerve is cut there will be numbness.  If it is placed on tension such as with sutures it can cause pain.  It sounds like that may be the case for you.  Time and massage will inevitably help. 

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

Dear PLM,

Thank you for your question.  GAN injury as with other nerve injuries can present itself in a spectrum of ways, from numbness, to tingling, to tightness.  Unless complete transection occurs, these injuries heal well on their own. They are usually from pulling on the nerve.  It sounds like yours is gradually getting better.  Try massage of the ear lobe on a regular basis.  This sensory feedback will help with recovery.

Best Wishes,

Pablo Prichard, MD

Don't get over-anxious about the Greater Auricular Nerve- a small insignificant sensory nerve providing sensation to the earlobe. The recent proliferation of the Mini-facelift with shortened scars has created a subset of patients with prolonged pain and numbness around the ear. The reason for this is the improved "anchoring" of the SMAS and deeper tissues to the cartilaginous structure of the ear. The ear is the only fixed structure available through the shortened incision to which we sew the SMAS and achieve a good, tight and long-lasting result. The consequence of this tightening is a small group of patients who have prolonged pain and  some numbness about the ear. All of the patients experience this for a week or two but it usually resolves as the overall feeling of tightness goes away. I think this group is less than 10% of the total and it seems to eventually resolve  for all patients. Unfortunately, I know of no intervention that speeds up the eventual result. To finally answer your question, the GAN may or may not be involved with your problem but as I have explained, the GAN really does not matter.

The greater auricular nerve is a sensory nerve providing sensation to the lower portion of the auricle. Stretching or traction on the nerve during a facelift procedure can lead to loss of or diminished sensation in the ear. Scar tissue formation around the nerve during the healing process can lead to discomfort, tingling, and other sensations during the healing process. The majority of the time this problem will gradually resolve with time but it can take a year or longer. Occasionally, a steroid injection can help decrease inflammation around the nerve. Make sure to follow up with your surgeon to ensure that you are healing normally.