Torn Earlobes - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about Torn Earlobes or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
Torn Earlobes
Torn earlobe repair is a common procedure we perform. Our patients often present with a stretched earlobe or a complete tear of an earlobe that is caused by:
- an acute accidental pull on an earring,
- a chronic pull by wearing earrings overnight,
- wearing heavy earrings, or by
- an ear piercing placed too close to the earlobe rim.
Less frequently, the stretch occurs intentionally due to gauging.
Now Serving Abington, PA
We are excited to announce the opening of our new location in Abington, PA (19001). This expansion allows us to provide our expert earlobe repair services, including treatment for torn and gauged earlobes, to more patients. Contact us at 610.525.5250 to schedule your consultation.
Earlobe repair cost
$580 - One simple earlobe repair.
$825 - One gauge repair.
$25 - Professional repiercing.
A pre-procedure consultation is required.
While the consultation is usually covered by most insurance plans the surgery itself is not.
Less frequently, the stretch occurs intentionally due to gauging.
Earlobe repair surgery is the art of repair of an earlobe to reestablish the proper appearance of the lobe with only a fine, linear scar. During the procedure, the surgeon applies local anesthesia and removes a minute amount of tissue together with the scarred skin around the tear. This provides an even surface for re-approximation of the earlobe tissue. The edges are held together by several very fine stitches. A dressing is placed for about 24 hours and thereafter a thin wound covering remains. Stitches are taken out after one week.
Expected results:
- While a simple tear will leave a fine linear scar, a more complex repair of a gauged lobe results in a fine Y or X shaped scar.
- The new fine scar gains its full strength after about 4 weeks;
- The repaired site will not have the strength of normal skin. Therefore, repiercing within the new scar is not recommended.
- However, in most cases, repiercing may be performed at a slight distance to the new fine scar about 4 weeks after surgery.
Online Consultation
Get treatment plan from Dr. Ringpfeil or Dr. Abraham by tomorrow evening without visiting the office.
I have a torn earlobe and am wondering about the approximate price for the procedure.
We charge $275 to revise and repair each tear.
Does the procedure require anesthesia and is that included in the $275 cost?
Ear lobe repair requires only local anesthesia. Most of the time we use lidocaine, a well tolerated anesthetic, which works rapidly, and wears off relatively quickly, too. There is no discomfort even after the anesthesia wears off about an hour after the procedure. A local anesthetic assures that there is no downtime and that you can return to work or any other non-strenuous activity immediately after the procedure. The fee for local anesthesia is included in the earlobe repair fee.
I have a torn earlobe, but there is a negligible piece of skin still holding the two halves together. I would like to have it repaired and want to find out how to go about doing that.
It really does not matter if the earlobe is completely torn or a small piece of skin preserves the contour of the lobe. The repair is performed by excising the entire scar caused by the tear and then repairing the defect. Most of the time, the remaining skin at the bottom of the lobe of an incomplete tear can be preserved. The procedure leaves a very fine, barely noticeable scar behind. If desired, repiercing of the same lobe can be performed as early as 3 weeks after the repair. Unfortunately, it is impossible to re-pierce the original hole as it would likely result in a tear within the surgical scar. We also offer repiercing after careful selection of the site for best cosmetic and functional results.
I will like to know the fee for the first consultation.
The initial consultation for torn earlobes is usually covered by your insurance. If no insurance is available, our fee is $115.
I have gauged ears. They are jewelry free for anout 4 years now and down to a 2 gauge but will not shrink any further. Is this procedure good for this as well?
An earlobe plasty is needed to repair gauged ears. This differs form a simple earlobe repair after a tear in that the earlobe has to be reconstructed to appear similar to a non-gauged lobe. Considering the persistent gauge size 2, the cost is likely higher. An evaluation in person is needed to assess the stretch of the surrounding skin and the expected results after surgery.
I came across website while researching various options for Torn Earlobe surgery.
My mother has a torn earlobe which needs to be closed. It is not completely torn.
Is it possible to sew the earlobe leaving a small hole open so we do not have to re-pierce her ear?
Also how do I find out if her insurance company covers it? Can you give me the codes that you use to bill to the insurance company? I spoke to a rep, they asked me to find out what the diagnosis codes are. Based on that they will tell me if it is covered or not.
Thank you for your help…
MS
Incompletely torn earlobes must be repaired completely. The original piercing can unfortunately not be maintained because the scar tissue below is not strong enough to support an earring. It could only be kept for looks but not for use. With proper repair, the earlobe can be re-pierced by someone experienced with the requirements after surgical repair.
In our experience, the procedure is not an insurance covered service. We charge $275 per tear. Codes will be provided during consultation.
Franziska Ringpfeil, MD
hello
my earlobe split and i was wondering do you take insurance if so which one?
The consultation for torn earlobes is covered by all insurances. However the actual repair is not an insurance covered service.
My earlobe was split because of gauges may I send you a picture of it because of that it is not your average split it looks something like a claw and I was just wondering if it is possible to repair at the above said price or not. I also live in Delaware and was wondering if the consultation costs are covered by their Medicaid and if not what are the consult costs. thank you for your time
The standard earlobe repair refers to split earlobes. The repair of gauged lobes is possible and is called earlobe plasty. It requires a longer operating time and therefore a higher charge. The charge per lobe is $400.
The consultation is an insurance covered service for most insurances.
However we do not participate with any Medicaid programs.
Hi Doctor – I took out my earrings over 7 years ago yet you can still see the piercing holes, which I want to go away. I heard that you can have the scar tissue removed, so that the holes will heal further. Do you perform that procedure? Is there scarring? How much does that cost? Thanks!
A pierced site/hole is a scar and does not usually close by itself even if earrings are not worn for several years. The patent hole can only be removed by cutting it out and reattaching the fresh skin edges. This will leave a small linear scar that is slightly longer than the original pierced site.
The cost is the same as for a split lobe repair, $275 per pierced site.
my 25 year old daughter had her ears pierced at age 10; one of the original earrings pulled down (was not attended to properly) and left a scar on her earlobe; she still wears pierced earrings. I feel responsible for not caring for her ears better! Could surgery remove the scar?
Thanks!
If I understand correctly, your daughter has a partially torn earlobe. This can be repaired. The repair will leave a hardly visible, flat scar. The earlobe can be repierced in close proximity to the original site 3-4 weeks after the repair.
my husband had his ears gauged up to and inch when they ripped out completly, we did not have the money to get it professionaly reatached so he cut himself back open and stiched it back together himself. I know it was not the smartest choice for him to make, but is there anything in particular we should do to prevent infection and about how long should he leave the homemade stiches in…makes me queezy thinking about it.
Please understand that a blog does not serve to provide “how to do it yourself” medical advice. For those who cannot afford healthcare, there are a few free clinics that would help with infections. They are operated by the health department in Philadelphia.