Ear Lobe Repair: Diagnosis, Surgery, & Recovery

Benefits of Earlobe Repair Surgery

Earlobe repair surgery or lobuloplasty has the following benefits- 

• Improve Self-Image- Most people feel conscious due to torn earlobes. They often get unwanted attention too. The surgery can prevent this from happening and improve the patient’s self-esteem. 
• Effective Removal of Sagged Skin- The surgery addresses the sagging in the earlobes and removes the excess skin to restore normal shape and size. 
• Symmetrical Ears- Due to the deformed earlobe, the ears on both sides will look different, creating asymmetry. The surgery resolves this problem and makes both ears look symmetrical. 
• Wear Jewelry Again– After the healing is complete, people who like to wear ear piercings can get the ear pierced and wear jewelry as desired. 
• Minimal Scarring- Dissolvable sutures are used to attach the torn ends of the earlobe, which cause minimal scarring. Over time, the scar fades away, and the skin tone looks more natural. 
• Quick & Safe Procedure- Earlobe repair surgery takes around 30-60 minutes. And the surgery is performed on the cartilage, which reduces the chances of risks and complications. 

Diagnosis Before Earlobe Repair Surgery

As the earlobe doesn’t consist of bone or cartilage tissues, thus, extensive testing is generally not required before surgery. However, once the patient is admitted to the hospital, the surgeon is likely to order the following routine lab tests to ensure the patient is in optimal health. The tests may include the following:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): To record the electrical activity of the heart and detect arrhythmias or dysrhythmias, if any. 
• Urinalysis: To diagnose if any kidney or bladder infection is present and the body doesn’t have any drug that can interfere with the treatment. 
• WBC (White Blood Cell) Count: To look for fever and infection. If the WBC is elevated, it means the body is fighting an infection, and surgery is postponed. 

Besides these, normal tests, such as glucose level tests, potassium level tests, CBC (complete blood count) tests, and coagulation studies are done. The surgeon will take a look at the reports and determine if it is safe to proceed with the surgery. 

Preparation Before Earlobe Surgery

Prior to the procedure, the doctor’s team will provide detailed instructions to the patient to prepare them for surgery. The common instructions will include the following- 

• Get a comprehensive medical evaluation and keep the reports in hand. 
• Provide a list of all the medications and supplements so that the surgeon can make adjustments to ensure these medications don’t interfere with the patient’s recovery. 
• Stop smoking, as it can impair healing abilities, and avoid drinking alcohol for at least 1 day prior to the surgery. 
• Avoid taking blood thinners and other recreational drugs. 
• Ask someone to accompany you on the day of surgery. 
• Wear loose and clean clothes that are easy to remove.
• Take a light meal on the day of surgery and drink water as usual. Fasting is only required for 2 hours before the procedure.  

The medical team will also discuss if the patient has a health insurance plan. If so, he/she will be asked to submit the respective documents to initiate the claim request. On the day of surgery, the patient is also asked to sign a consent form before proceeding. 

What Happens During Earlobe Repair Surgery?

The earlobe repair surgery is customized according to the patient’s needs. The steps involved in the procedure are explained below- 

• Markings are done on the earlobe to illustrate the points where stitches need to be placed. 
• An anesthetic medicine is injected into the earlobe. 
• If the earlobe has excess skin, the skin is excised carefully, preserving the natural contour of the ear. 
• Dissolvable stitches or glue are used to attach the torn tissues. This is done on both the front and back sides. 
• A small dressing is placed over the stitches. 

The entire procedure takes around 15 to 30 minutes for both earlobes, and the patient is discharged on the same day after surgery. 

What to Expect After Earlobe Repair?

Immediately after the surgery, the patient is kept under observation for a couple of hours in the recovery room. After ensuring that everything is fine, the doctor gives permission to discharge. 

The patient can expect to feel slight discomfort and itchiness in the treated area. Before discharge, the medical team gives detailed instructions to the patient regarding the recovery. 

Side Effects of Earlobe Repair Surgery

Lobuloplasty or ear lobule repair surgery is one of the easiest cosmetic surgery and has an almost negligible chance of complications. This can be attributed to the easy implementation of the surgical technique. Patients usually experience temporary side effects of earlobe repair surgery, such as:

• Itching
• Swelling 
• Mild pain 
• Bleeding from the incisions 
• Infection 
• Scarring

These side effects can be managed easily by the doctor. However, in certain cases, the scar may heal abnormally, and a keloid or hypertrophic scar may form, which will need further intervention. In some cases, if the patient fails to comply with the doctor’s instructions and starts wearing heavy ear jewelry again, the earlobe may tear up again. 

Results & Recovery After Ear Hole Repair

The results of earlobe repair won’t be visible immediately as there will be minor swelling and bruising around the treated area. These side effects will take a couple of weeks to dissipate. 

The overall recovery will take place in 2-3 weeks. And the results will be clearly visible only after that. As dissolvable sutures are used to join the torn tissues, the scarring is also minimal. If the patient wishes to re-pierce the earlobe, he/she can do so after 3 months. The surgeon will also suggest that the piercing should be at least 3 mm away from the old piercing site.

The common instructions the patient will have to follow after the surgery are given below. 

• Keep the head elevated after the surgery and avoid exertion completely for the first few days. 
• Use moisture over the stitches and keep the area moist, and dryness can cause itchiness in the skin. 
• Use the prescribed pain medications as directed by the doctor. 
• Take complete rest on the first day and resume light activities after 24 hours. 
• Don’t scratch or rub the ear, as it can tear up the stitches. 

Earlobe Repair Cost in India

Earlobe repair surgery cost in India ranges from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000 approximately. It is only an estimated price that varies for each patient depending on the following factors- 

• The extent of correction required
• The city and type of the hospital 
• Surgeon’s expertise 
• The technique used for repair 
• Hospital-related expense
• Post-op care and follow-up consultations 

Non-Surgical Earlobe Repair Options

There are several non-surgical earlobe repair options available that can help to improve the appearance of the lobule. The methods include the following:

• Dermal Fillers: These fillers are used to add volume to the lobule. It plumps the earlobe to give it a more natural shape and minimizes the appearance of droopy and torn earlobes. However, this treatment only lasts for 4-6 months and doesn’t provide as dramatic results as earlobe repair surgery. 
• Earring Support Patches: Support patches are available in the market that is often worn by people to relieve the pressure exerted by heavy earrings. They also protect the earlobes from tears. However, some people find them inconvenient. 
• Decrease Gauge Size: One way to treat an enlarged piercing is by allowing it to heal over time by reducing the size of gauges worn by the individual. The ear lobule can heal itself within 6 weeks to 12 months. The exact duration of healing varies depending on the size of the piercing. Over time, the earlobe will return to the unstretched size, and if it doesn’t, ear hole repair surgery will be the best option. 

*Note: Whatever happens, do not try to close the earlobe hole using glue, contrary to popular beliefs. Using glue is not a sanitary or effective method to repair a split earlobe.