Torn ear lobe repair

Ear lobe tears from earrings are fairly common.  This can occur with trauma or earrings that are too large or heavy.  Torn ear lobe repair  is relatively easy and straight forward.

If the tear is acute (happened today), the tear can be repaired with sutures.  Most of the time, patients present weeks to months after the torn ear lobe resulting in a cleft in the ear lobe.

Torn ear lobe surgery involves removing the healed scar at the edge of the tear and realignment of the ear lobe margin.  Successful repair requires a minimal scar and accurate alignment of the ear lobe margin without a step-off deformity.  This can easily be accomplished with local anesthetic without sedation.  Pain is generally less than a piercing.