At Poughkeepsie Facial, Plastic Reconstructive and Laser Surgery, earlobe repair is a simple, cosmetic ear surgery performed by a Board Certified Poughkeepsie Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Earlobe, or gauge, repair reconstructs the drooping or torn ear lobes, or close a “gauged” earring hole.
Wearing earrings over time often causes the earlobe holes to stretch or become elongated. This makes it more difficult to wear certain earrings, and some may not remain in place. As time goes on, the bottom of the piercing hole may wear through completely and result in an earlobe that is split or torn. In addition, trauma to the earlobes may cause them to split or tear. Over recent years, intentional earlobe “gauging” or stretching also became popular, although many patients now wish to have it reversed.
Who is a Candidate for Earlobe or Gauge Repair?
Healthy men and women who are seeking to repair the appearance of their ears are excellent candidates for earlobe or gauge repair.
What is the Recovery like from Otoplasty or Ear Reshaping?
Earlobe or gauge repair may be performed with moderate sedation, depending on the patient’s preference and age. For those patients who need a small correction, treatment may be performed at one of our office locations under local anesthesia.
Our facial, plastic and reconstructive surgeons are experienced in a wide array of state-of-the art ear reconstruction techniques. Repairing a gauge earring defect involves creating new layers of tissue out of thin air. Our surgeons need to replace three separate layers of soft tissue in order to properly close this type of defect. This includes the skin covering the outer surface of the earlobe, the middle layer of soft tissue that gives the earlobe shape and form and the skin covering the backside of the earlobe.
In most cases, all three layers of tissue can be taken from the surrounding areas, which include other regions of the external ear. This is referred to as a local flap reconstruction where tissue is taken (borrowed) from one area to be used in the immediate adjacent area to repair a defect, or hole. When it comes to repairing a gauge earring defect, this typically involves taking tissue from the area just behind the hole (away from the face) or from the remaining earlobe skin.
The sutures (stitches) used to close the skin are usually removed in about 5-6 days. Patients are responsible for keeping the sutures clean while taking care of the surgical repair site. Detailed postoperative and aftercare instructions will be provided to each patient.
Those patients considering earlobe or gauge repair should carefully evaluate their surgeon’s credentials and training. Our doctors are Board Certified, with extensive knowledge to deliver the best cosmetic results while safeguarding proper hearing function.
To schedule a private consultation with the Hudson Valley, Westchester County and the Tri-State Area’s best ear repair and reconstruction surgeons, please contact our Concierge Patient Coordinators at (845) 454-8025 or email us at info@NYfaceMD.com
