Ear rings are great, studs, big ones, small ones , all different colours and sizes. Usually wearing ear jewellery means having your ears pierced and this is often done at an early age – teen years or even younger. For most of us, ear piercing can be a long term and problem free. However, pierced ears can be troubled by irritation and infection. Eventually elongation or lengthening of the ear hole can occur. If ear jewellery continues to be worn, this problem can progress to complete splitting of the earlobe. Today we are going to discuss how to repair a split earlobe.
Split ear lobes can be prevented by:
- avoiding heavy tugging ear jewellery
- if infection or pain occurs, treat the infection
- give the area a rest for a week or two using only a non reactive good quality sleeper
So you have a split ear lobe or two – what can you do about it? Well there are very effective surgical repairs for split ear lobes that can be done in the office under local anaesthetic.
When I speak to someone about repairing a split earlobe, first I want to know is a repair WITH a usable ear piercing tract wanted or is a repair of the split only desired. I usually find my patients want a functioning tract following their repair.
How to Repair Split Earlobes
To repair a split earlobe with a tract restored, its more complicated than just sewing the split back up. It involves using a flap (a small tongue) of normal earlobe tissue adjacent to the split to curl around the base of the newly formed tract. This will form a bridge of healthy tissue that will support the new treat and prevent ear jewellery working its way downwards splitting the ear again.
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic in my office based operating facility. It takes around an hour to do. Following the procedure, a non reactive “sleeper” of nylon is used for several weeks while the repair heals and stitches are removed at about one week after the operation.
Repairing of split earlobe may be eligible for medicare rebates so a referral from your GP is worthwhile.
Split ear lobe? Don’t worry we’ll fix them! Contact Us today for more information!
Meet Our Plastic Surgeon
"The best choice a patient
can make is one that leads
to their own happiness"
MBBS, BSc(Med), FRACS
(AHPRA MED 0001073756)
Dr. Robert Drielsma
MBBS (Hons), BSc(Med), FRACS (AHPRA MED 0001073756)
Dr Drielsma is an Australian trained fully qualified Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon specialising in aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts and body.
His medical degree, (M.B.B.S Hons) was completed with honours at the University of Sydney in 1982. During this time he also completed a Bachelor of Science degree. Dr Drielsma then completed specialist training in both general surgery and plastic surgery in Sydney attaining fellowship of the Royal Australian College of of Surgery (FRACS) in both disciplines. Further training and experience was then attained internationally in London, England and Toronto Canada.
Dr Drielsma commenced his private practice in Canberra and Sydney Australia in 1997. His practice is now based in Bondi Junction, Sydney and incorporates Camden in Sydney’s west, Wagga Wagga and Canberra.
Dr Drielsma is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), member of the Australasian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and member of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). Dr Drielsma is also board Certified by the Australian and New Zealand Board of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery.
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