The use of heavy earrings for a long time, or the use of ear plugs, or even trauma to the ear (accidents with sharp objects, pulling the earrings hard when removing them) are the main factors that can cause the ear to be torn. However, this can be corrected with lobuloplasty – plastic surgery that reshapes the ears.
Understand how it works and who it is for in our post today!
How does lobuloplasty work?
Plastic surgery to correct a torn ear is not usually an operation with many risks or contraindications, being often an outpatient procedure, without the need for hospitalization.
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and, in most cases, without sedation, and consists of reconstructing the earlobe through incisions in the torn area and suturing these incisions, in order to give an adequate contour to the earlobe (the fleshier and softer part of the ear, where the holes for earrings are usually made).
The size of the incisions will depend on the size of the tear in the ear. If it’s just a small enlargement of the earring hole, the surgeon can just peel away the skin around the hole and suture to close the hole created by the incisions.
However, in the case of a completely torn ear (technically called a bifid lobe), as well as in cases of very large holes due to the use of ear reamers, larger incisions and sutures will be necessary, consequently in larger scars.
In all cases, a certain amount of skin from the lobe needs to be removed in order to perform the surgery correctly. However, even in cases of major corrections of the ear hole, the procedure can be performed with local anesthesia, through an injection in the skin of the lobe.
For patients who do not want only local anesthesia, sedation in the vein can be associated, but for this it is necessary that the surgery be performed in a hospital environment with the presence of the anesthesiologist.
Both ears can be corrected in the same surgical procedure, if necessary (hole corrections in both ears). through an injection into the skin of the lobe. For patients who do not want only local anesthesia, sedation in the vein can be associated, but for this it is necessary that the surgery be performed in a hospital environment with the presence of the anesthesiologist.
Both ears can be corrected in the same surgical procedure, if necessary (hole corrections in both ears). through an injection into the skin of the lobe. For patients who do not want only local anesthesia, sedation in the vein can be associated, but for this it is necessary that the surgery be performed in a hospital environment with the presence of the anesthesiologist. Both ears can be corrected in the same surgical procedure, if necessary (hole corrections in both ears).
It is important to point out that, even though it is small, lobuloplasty is plastic surgery, and must be performed by an experienced professional and after a complete medical consultation, with preoperative exams to certify the patient’s health, if necessary.
Lobuloplasty in Nagpur is a generally quick surgery, lasting from 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the size of the tear and whether or not both ears need to be operated), and the patient can return home the same day, if she is in good health. conditions.
After surgery, the patient goes home with a small dressing on the operated lobe, which may consist of Micropore adhesive tapes alone, or Micropore tapes with gauze, depending on the need to control postoperative bleeding. The plastic surgeon in Nagpur will guide the care with each type of dressing, in each case. The patient will be instructed to take painkillers if she has pain and will eventually be given a prescription for post-operative antibiotics.
It is also possible to correct earring holes in other parts of the ear, such as the top of the ears and the tragus (the small bump that sticks to the skin of the head, just before the ear canal). However, these cases may eventually require slightly larger and more complex surgeries, as they are more delicate areas of the ear, made up of cartilage.
Post-operative procedures
Postoperative procedures include:
– Avoid sun exposure for 30 days.
– Avoid scratching the operated area.
– Avoid strenuous physical activities.
– Look for the best plastic surgeon in Nagpur who performed the surgery in case of any discomfort, redness, excessive bleeding, or pain at the site. Minor bleeding is common in the postoperative period, with no need for a new operation in most cases, just dressing.
The patient should wait at least one month before making a new earring hole at the operated site because before this period the operated area will be very fragile and may open again if manipulated.
The patient must always wait for the surgeon’s permission to make a new hole, and even to use pressure earrings, as they compress the operated area, which can harm the result of the surgery if they are used before the right time.
After all, why can the ear tear?
The lobe, located in the lower region of the ear, is delicate. It is a region composed basically of fat and skin, with no muscles or cartilage to help support weights, factors that generate the risk of tears when heavy earrings and extensions are placed.
Even so, individual predisposition is an important factor for the occurrence of tears and enlargement of holes in the ear. There are people who will develop the problem with lighter earrings, while others will have stronger earlobes and will support heavier earrings.
That is, it is not entirely predictable who will or will not have problems with enlarged and torn holes. When in doubt, avoid wearing earrings that are too heavy, in order to minimize the risk.
Tips to prevent tearing and inflammation
– After lobuloplasty, the medical recommendation is not to put heavy earrings or plugs in the operated region, because there is a risk of the region tearing again, requiring a new corrective surgery.
– Do not drill holes – whether for earrings or plugs – or use pressure earrings on the surgical scar before the surgeon releases it.
– Follow the surgeon’s instructions regarding the care with dressings and cleaning of the ears in the postoperative period.
– Keep a correct follow-up with the surgeon in the postoperative period, to ensure that the result of the scars is as discreet and aesthetic as possible. Lobuloplasty scars usually evolve well, however, there is a chance of developing keloids (hard, raised pink scars) in the lobuloplasty incisions (especially in patients who have already had this problem in their own ear or in other parts of the body), which should be evaluated and treated by the plastic surgeon.
