Ear lobe repair or auroplasty is a commonly performed out-patient procedure. The hole in the delicate ear lobe tissue often gets stretched or may even tear through the ear lobule due to heavy ear rings or due to accidental traction injury. Unprofessional jobs such as merely “glueing” the skin edges are unscientific and always leads to failure.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. The skin edges of the enlarged hole or tear are shaved off to create raw edges. These edges are then meticulously sutured to recreate an intact ear lobe. In some cases, additional maneuvers are done to recreate the round lower margin of the ear lobe. Closed the hole or tear along with leaving behind a small hole at the same time for wearing ear rings is not recommended as it leaves a weak spot in the resultant scar which is more likely to give way. A small dressing is applied.

The dressing may be removed after 5 to 7 days. The sutures are removed after 7 to 10 days. The area heals very well and the scar is barely noticeable after a few weeks. You must wait till the scar becomes strong enough before you pierce the ear lobe again. This duration may be as long as 3 to 6 months after surgery. Further, it is preferable that the new piercing is done away from the scar and not along the scar line.