Earlobe Repair Surgery

Why Earlobe Repair May Be Needed

The most common reason why patients present for earlobe repair is the gradual stretching of a piercing hole until the earring pulls through the edge of the earlobe. The resulting wound heals as a cleft in the earlobe. Surgery is required to restore torn, split or damaged earlobes.

Other causes include:

An acute injury, such as an earring getting caught on something, then causes a laceration in the earlobe. If the injury is not sutured immediately, it may heal into a permanent cleft

Less commonly:

Patients who had earlobe plugs inserted, resulting in abnormally large lobes with central holes. Repairing this type of defect is more complex, but it is possible to recreate a smaller earlobe.

Consultation and Assessment

During your consultation, Dr. Andrade will:

Review your medical history
Examine the earlobes to assess the extent of damage or stretching
Discuss your desired outcome and expectations
Explain the surgical procedure, risks, and healing expectations

How Earlobe Repair Is Performed

Procedure Time:

Repairing simple earlobe cleft: 20–30 minutes
Stretched lobes (from plugs): longer duration

Anesthesia & Setting:

Performed under local anesthesia
Conducted at our accredited, modern surgicentre
No fasting or special preparation required

Surgical Technique:

Uses fine, non-dissolving sutures for optimal healing
Sutures are removed after one week
A small tape (Steri-strip) is applied to cover the repair and should remain until the follow-up appointment.

Associated Risks

The risks associated with earlobe repair are very low, but include infection, wound opening (dehiscence), contour irregularity, poor scar or keloid, etc. The vast majority of patients are happy with the result, and revisions are uncommon.

Postoperative Care and Healing

Showering is permitted 24 hours after the procedure, but hot tubs, pools or bath tubs should be avoided until sutures are removed one week postop.

Re-Piercing Guidelines:

Wait a few months before re-piercing

Do not pierce the earlobe in the exact same spot as the repair, since scar tissue is not as strong as the normal earlobe tissue.

Important Notice

Our website contains before and after photos of Dr. Andrade’s patients with their treated anatomy exposed. These photos are intended to help our patients make an informed decision about surgery, and they are not testimonials or endorsements. Each person is unique therefore we cannot guarantee that you will achieve the same results. A thorough in-person consultation is necessary to understand your options and possible outcomes. By proceeding, you acknowledge that you are over 18 years of age.