By far, the common ear problem that I see as a plastic surgeon is that of an earlobe problem. Whether it is damage to the earlobe from the wearing of heavy ear rings or an earlobe that has been torn due to being pulled through, the earlobe that is split in two or has an elongated hole is unsightly for many patients.
Contrary to popular perception, repair of a torn earlobe is a very simple procedure that can be done in the office under local anesthesia. The earlobe is very easy and relatively painless to get numb by placing local anesthetic in front of the earlobe first. Once the earlobe is numb, then I inject the earlobe with more local anesthetic for its ability to control any bleeding. This is quite a painless way to get an earlobe numb. Once the earlobe is numb, then a wedge along the split or elongated hole is removed and the earlobe is put back together. This requires stitches on on both the front and back of the earlobe. Other than a little antibiotic ointment, there are no dressings that are needed and once can shower and get it wet the next day. There is very little discomfort and or swelling after the procedure. The stitches are removed in a week. You can re-pierce the repaired earlobe in 6 weeks after the procedure.
Earlobe repairs can quickly and permanently repair a disfigured earlobe and make it ready to insert a new ear piercing shortly thereafter. It is not necessary to walk around with a torn earlobe out of fear that is a painful, expensive, or complicated problem to solve.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana