Split ear or split ear lobule is common condition resulting from trauma to ear lobe by either using heavy jewelry for longer time or earring stuck in clothes or blanket and pulled through ear lobe pierced hole causing it to split.
Ear split can be partial (only ear piercing hole is increased in size significantly), or complete split of ear lobe. It is treated with surgery by giving incision along the borders of split, refashion the edges and repair both edges with sutures. Non absorbable sutures are frequently used and removal of stitches done in 7 day after follow up visit. This procedure is done as daycare under local anesthesia in adults. Patient is instructed not to use same area for ear piercing for few weeks and instructed to avoid using heavy jewelry on other holes till repair is healed. Recurrence is high in non-compliant individuals.

1. What is the duration of surgery for split ear
It’s usually done in 30 minute to one hour if done on both sides
2. What are chances of recurrence
If proper post-operative instructions are followed recurrence can be prevented. Recurrence is
high in non-compliant patients.
3. Is there any disadvantage of of surgery
There is no disadvantage of surgery but if condition occurs again ang again it results in narrow
lobule
4. Is surgery mandatory for split ear
It depends on patients wish for corrective procedure. Some people left them as it is and get ear
piercing adjacent to it.