Ask the Expert How Do You Repair a Split Earlobe? PHILIP C ASSO N , M .D .
A SPLIT e a r l o b e results from the accidental pulling o f an earring through a lobe or from gradual cutting through o f the entire thickness o f the lobe by heavy pendants. The first type o f split is best repaired as an emergency; the second type may be done as an elective procedure. In either case, preservation o f the epithelial track o f the origi nal piercing should not be attempted because it is a simple procedure to repierce the lobes at a new site after healing is complete.
D r. Casson is an Associate P rofessor o f S urgery, New York U niversity M edical C e nte r, New York, N .Y .
The technique o f repair o f both types o f splits consists o f (a) freshening the edges o f the tom lobes or excision o f the skin edges o f the split lobe on each side o f the defect (Fig. 1) and (b) accurate approximation and suturing o f the skin on both the superficial (Fig. 2) and deep surfaces (Fig. 3) so that the contours o f the ear are restored in a U-shaped scar. Since contracture o f the scar is sometimes followed by a notch or scallop (Fig. 4), this undesirable effect may be anticipated and prevented by a Z-plasty at the low point o f the closure (Fig. 5). The preferred suture material is 5/0 nylon. The sutures are removed from the superficial aspect o f the lobe at three to five days and from the deep surface at seven days.
J o f Derm Sur g 2:1 March 1976
21
A SPLIT e a r l o b e results from the accidental pulling o f an earring through a lobe or from gradual cutting through o f the entire thickness o f the lobe by heavy pendants. The first type o f split is best repaired as an emergency; the second type may be done as an elective procedure. In either case, preservation o f the epithelial track o f the origi nal piercing should not be attempted because it is a simple procedure to repierce the lobes at a new site after healing is complete.
D r. Casson is an Associate P rofessor o f S urgery, New York U niversity M edical C e nte r, New York, N .Y .
The technique o f repair o f both types o f splits consists o f (a) freshening the edges o f the tom lobes or excision o f the skin edges o f the split lobe on each side o f the defect (Fig. 1) and (b) accurate approximation and suturing o f the skin on both the superficial (Fig. 2) and deep surfaces (Fig. 3) so that the contours o f the ear are restored in a U-shaped scar. Since contracture o f the scar is sometimes followed by a notch or scallop (Fig. 4), this undesirable effect may be anticipated and prevented by a Z-plasty at the low point o f the closure (Fig. 5). The preferred suture material is 5/0 nylon. The sutures are removed from the superficial aspect o f the lobe at three to five days and from the deep surface at seven days.
J o f Derm Sur g 2:1 March 1976
21
