Earlobe Repair

Lobuloplasty/ Split Earlobe Repair is the surgical procedure prescribed to repair a split or torn earlobe.

What is Earlobe?

The ear lobe has a special importance among facial structures. It is particularly important due to the practice in many parts of the world of piercing it in order to wear ear rings.

The ear lobe consists of skin and fat. Unlike the rest of the ear, it does not have any thick cartilage. Hence, it is easy to perforate an ear lobe. Many cultures encourage the piercing of the ear lobe for adorning jewellery. Piercing the ear lobe adds to the possibility of ear lobe rupture. While some ear lobe tears may heal with time, many require medical attention. Most of the times, ear lobe repair is needed due to damage induced by wearing heavy ear rings or other such jewellery. In some cases, it may be because of someone (mostly a child) tugging on the earlobe / ear ring.

Earlobe repair at Pandit Clinic is an effective way to mend the ruptured part and restore the previous appearance.

Earlobe repair can be classified as:

Incomplete cleft – this is usually bilateral and frequently found in elderly women who have worn heavy earrings for many years

Full cleft – usually unilateral, caused by direct local trauma like sudden pulling of earrings

There is another way of classifying earlobe repair:

The cleft extension does not go beyond half the distance between the initial orifice and the lower border of the ear lobe
The cleft extension goes beyond half of the distance between the initial orifice and the lower ear lobe border
Progressive cleft extension until it becomes a complete defect.

Most earlobe tears are operated upon using local anesthesia and a vasoconstrictor. In some instances, a second procedure may be needed to correct the defect. For simple splits, surgeons use sutures to repair the earlobe. This operation can last for about an hour or so. For droopy earlobes, the skin lining the tear is excised. Earlobe tears that do not reach the bottom may be treated immediately.

Complications from earlobe repair include keloids, hypo/hyper pigmentation and suture dehiscence in some individuals. Pain, if any is minimal for earlobe repairs. It can be taken care of by over the counter medication. It is important to note that ear lobe repair is different from otopalsty, or ear correction surgery.

Questions to ask while opting for Earlobe Repair procedure

Are you a good candidate for the procedure?
What will be expected to get the best results?
Where and how will you perform the procedure?
Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
How long of a recovery period can we expect?
What kind of help will my child need during the recovery?
What are the risks and complications associated with this surgery?
How will the complications be handled?
Do you have before-and-after photos of other patients?

Split Earlobe Repair/Lobuloplasty

Lobuloplasty is the surgical procedure prescribed to repair a split or torn earlobe. The cosmetic surgeon extends the split downwards to complete the ear. He then stitches together the split with minimum sutures to make the ear whole again. The sutures are kept in place for a week after which the doctor will remove them during a follow-up visit.The split/torn earlobe is repaired under local anaesthesia. The procedure is performed as a day-care procedure.

Recovery After Earlobe Repair

After the surgery, Dr Shrirang Pandit will advise you to keep your head elevated for a few days. It is necessary that you keep the surgical site clean. These instructions will be provided to you after the procedure. Some pain is common after the surgery. Dr Shrirang Pandit will prescribe certain medications that will help alleviate the pain. Routine follow-ups must be taken with Dr Shrirang Pandit in order to keep a track of the healing and recovery.

Earlobe Results

Dr. Shrirang Pandit

MBBS, MS, Mch (Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon)

Meet Dr. Shrirang Pandit

Dr. Shrirang Pandit is the founder of the Pandit Clinic. He has an experience of 30+ years in plastic surgery. He is a renowned name in the industry and pioneer of aesthetic lasers in India. Dr. Shrirang Pandit has performed numerous surgeries on children with facial clefts, managed patients with burn injuries and also has a large experience with lasers on Asian Indian skin. He has attended various laser workshops and courses as faculty and is keen on educating the next generations. He is a life member of all the top plastic surgery associations like Association of Plastic Surgeons in India, Association of Surgeons of India, Indian Association of Cosmetic Laser Surgeons, to name a few. He also acts as a key opinion leader for Ultrashape Inc., Lumenis Inc, VASER Sound Surgical Technologies, USA