Split Earlobe Correction

Torn, Ripped, Or Split Earlobes

The earlobes are appendages of the ears made of soft skin and a small amount of fatty tissue. When studying the earlobe appearance and anatomy, one is often surprised about the large variation in size, form and shape. Aside from being important for a normal appearance of the ears, the earlobes serve women and men as popular locations for jewelry. Often, the earlobes are pierced to fit various forms of ear ornaments ranging from little studs to larger and heavier items.

Earlobe Slit (Enlarged Piercing Hole)

An incomplete tear in the earlobe usually starts at the original piercing site and continues downward for some degree. The result is an earlobe hole too large to hold ear studs. Closure of the enlarged slit-like hole can be performed in the outpatients department as mentioned above (under a local anaesthetic). A new piercing usually has to be performed but has to wait for approximately 6 months.

Earlobe Reduction

Earlobes may be large from birth but commonly get bigger with age. A large earlobe may require substantial ear jewelry for appropriate balance; small studs may appear “lost” within the space of a fleshy earlobe. Large earlobes can be sagging and hang down too far which may benefit from a decrease of the hanging curvature. In other instances, the earlobe is rather fleshy and elongated requiring a decrease of the overall length. An earlobe reduction is performed in the office under local anaesthesia with the option of a sedative.

Ear Lobe Repair – Reconstruction

A variety of problems may require reconstructive surgery of the earlobes. Earlobe abnormalities may result from hereditary abnormalities, traumatic events, surgical procedures (i.e., for skin cancer treatment) or stretched earlobe changes due to body art (spacers). The reconstructive approaches to most of these problems differ and depend on the specific needs of the patient. Often, a creative and artistic eye is helpful in planning these delicate earlobe procedures.

Mr Banwell performs many earlobe reconstructions every year following the use of spacers or similar tribal stretching techniques. The surgery can be quite delicate but it is usually performed under a local anaesthetic. For further information please do contact the office on 01342 330302.