Repair of Enlarged Pierced-Ear Openings

Abstract

Figu re 1. The ea r-piercing hole ill this pa tient has become undesirab ly large. Enlarged pierc ed-ear openings are problem atic for patients beca use they limi t j ewe lry se lection. Patient s ' mo st comm on complai nt is dissatisfaction w ith thei r inability to wear ear studs. Additiona lly, significant enlarge ment makes possible the developm ent ofa throu gh-and-through cleft because only a nar row br idge of tissue remai ns at the inferior edge of the ear lobule (figure I). The tec hnique for repair is base d on the size of the hole. Simp le circumferent ial removal ofthe inner epithe lial borders wit h subse que nt reapproxi matio n o f the deepitheli alized edges ca n rep ai r most mildl y to moderately enlarged holes. However, for pati ents w ith larger openings , clos ing the entire length o f the hole will resul t in the creation ofa notc h at the infer ior border o f the ea r lobule seco nda ry to sca r contrac tion. To prevent notching, a sca r-lengthening procedure, suc h as a Z-plasty, is adde d to the repa ir.

Auricular Lobuloplasty- An Aesthetic Day Care Surgical Procedure

“…Relatively good results were reported with the "z-plasty" technique in 10 cases by Abenavoli. (18) Miller and Eisbach (19) documented that they made repairs using the z-plasty technique after converting the partial defects into complete defects. One of the more innovative approaches to repair partial defects is the "parallel opposed flap" technique proposed by Reiter and Alford.…”

“…The satisfaction rate related to the cosmetic results of lobuloplasty has been reported as 92%-100%. (18)(19)(20)(21) The high level of satisfaction can be attributed to the small size of the surgical field, the simple and easy implementation of the techniques, and the low rate of complications. All of our patients were satisfied with the results of the lobuloplasty operation.…”

“…Complication rates after lobuloplasty were reported between 0% and 5%. (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21) Ear piercing may result in early and late complications, despite being a low-risk procedure. The most serious complications include infections, keloid scarring, tissue avulsion, and tear ear lobule.…”

The Gauged Earlobe: A Review of Current Treatment Methods and Presentation of a New Technique

“…To reduce the notching of the border from contracture and scarring, a Z-plasty is designed on the inferior border. 5 This technique is useful in cases in which the lobes are not significantly distorted or are overstretched. Performing a Z-plasty on a small area such as the inferior border of the lobe is technique sensitive with variable results.…”

Repair of Dilated Earlobe Due to Plug Piercing

“…The procedure was performed under local anesthesia using a sterilized wood tongue depressor to stabilize the earlobe. 2,5,6 After de-epithelialization of the earlobe canal, we performed wedge excisions with the angle away from the canal, one or two on each side, according to the size of the defect (Figure 2). Then the resulting defect was closed with interrupted 5-0 nylon sutures 4,6,7 on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the lobule 8 (Figure 3).…”