A bifid earlobe occurs when the lobe is divided by a sort of notch or cleft that creates two portions of the earlobe. The problem can result for several reasons. While a congenital cleft earlobe is one of these reasons, the most common cause of this earlobe issue is simply due to a complication that arises from a piercing in the ear. When an earlobe tears, a cleft or split earlobe will develop. This is especially common among people that wear earrings of a heavier nature or ones that dangle. The reason for this is because tension is boosted on the earlobe.
Over time, this tension can lead to a split earlobe. Though these repairs require surgery, the surgery is quite simple and is able to assist in the creation of a single earlobe thatβs no longer split and looks natural. Earlobe repair is a very common procedure thatβs largely safe and only has minimal risks.
There are several reasons to have your earlobe repaired or re-pierced. The primary reason is to return your earlobe to a more natural state. Youβll also once again have the ability to properly pierce your ear. While this isnβt possible immediately after the conclusion of the initial repair procedure, itβs usually doable around 3-6 months after youβve begun the recovery process.
In general, this specific treatment has a very high success rate. The results are permanent in most cases, as long as you avoid heavy earrings in the future. Given these results, making use of a rather simple procedure is certainly highly beneficial for you. Our highly skilled Columbus plastic surgeons have performed many earlobe repairs and re-piercings over the years, so you can be confident that you will be well taken care of before, during, and after the treatment.
If you require an earlobe repair from piercing or a congenital condition, the procedure for repair of the earlobe is simple and straightforward, though there are several risks that you should be aware of. Swelling and pain in the ear are normal, but there are instances where these side effects can worsen. While there are several techniques available for the repair of an earlobe, the main technique used makes use of double partial-thickness flaps during the procedure in order to ensure that the results are of high quality.
The procedure begins at first with the administration of local anesthesia in the ear. Once this is done, a small triangle is drawn in the area where the incisions are going to take place. This provides the surgeon with the ability to make precise and exact incisions. This triangle basically covers the entire split earlobe area. A smaller triangle is drawn inside this area, which is where the primary incisions occur. The main reason for this is that the triangle includes the area where the stretching or tear has occurred.
Once the area has been removed by the surgeon, the remaining flaps are basically together to form a single earlobe. At this point, the flaps are sutured, and youβll discover that your earlobe appears perfectly normal. Once the sutures have been closed, a bandage will be applied, and recovery can begin.
You should expect some basic swelling, redness, and pain around the earlobe for a couple of weeks, and the area may remain tender for up to a month. As with most types of plastic surgery, itβs vital that you donβt perform any strenuous activities, as the sutures must remain in place for a couple of weeks for the treatment area to heal correctly.
After four to six weeks have passed, you can consider a re-piercing procedure. You want to have this re-piercing done by a plastic surgeon, as the piercing needs to occur at a point in the earlobe that avoids the incisions lines that might still be healing.
Anyone suffering from a bifid earlobe is a great candidate for this procedure. If you desire a more natural appearance for your ear, this simple treatment will assist you in repairing the area and helping you get to the point where you can re-pierce the ear. The ideal candidates include those that fully understand the risks and have realistic expectations for the results, as well as those that are healthy. Before going through with the procedure, an initial consultation will take place to determine if youβre a good candidate for the surgery.
The Cost of earlobe repair in Columbus varies on a number of factors. During your consultation with the surgeons, they’ll answer all of your questions, give you their recommendations, and provide you with all associated costs.
If you’d like to book a consultation with Dr. Stephen P. Smith Jr. or Dr. Scott Smith about your earlobe repair, please contact us today. We look forward to meeting with you and becoming part of your journey.
Your Earlobe Repair Questions Answered
A: Though most of these procedures are quite simple to perform, the length that they take to complete primarily depends on the extent of the condition or the placement of the scar tissue in the earlobe. With the technique we use, the procedure should take around one to two hours to complete following the administration of anesthesia. If this treatment is meant for a congenital cleft earlobe repair, the time of the procedure will likely be around one hour.
A: Following the conclusion of the procedure, an ointment will be applied daily over the ear to allow it to heal correctly. Since the earlobe is such a tender area of the body, small amounts of discomfort should be expected once the anesthesia has dissipated. The stitches or sutures are typically not removed until a week has passed. Some swelling and mild discomfort might occur for a few weeks after the repair. Re-piercing the repaired ear can usually be done after 4-6 weeks.
A: As with all plastic surgery procedures, there are numerous risks that you should take into account before going forward with the procedure. Local anesthesia will be provided to you at the very onset of treatment. While rare, there are some instances where patients wonβt react well to this anesthesia, which comes in the form of some mild side effects. Itβs also possible, though unlikely that the earlobe wonβt look as you believed that it would following the treatment. Swelling or pain may occur; if this happens, consult your doctor immediately.