Split earlobe repair ( Pardue flap )

Split earlobe injuries are common. Even more common are the wide apertures which result from wearing heavy earrings for many years. As a result, the ornaments end up dangling instead of lying side by side with the ear lobe skin.
Split earlobes and wide openings can be repaired with a short office procedure. The site is treated with local anesthetic making the procedure painless. The edges of the opening are removed and are then approximated using fine sutures. We modify the technique which enables the local tissue to form a narrowed aperture at the same sitting. This obviates the need for a subsequent piercing of the earlobe.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to perform the repair on each side. Patients can return home soon after the procedure. Sutures are removed at 7 days. Light earrings can be worn at the end of 3 weeks.

Advantages of Pardue flap technique:
1. There is no need for a subsequent piercing.
2. The original site of the aperture is retained.
3. It is possible to start wearing earrings by the end of 3 weeks.
The procedure is safe and does not need any complicated post-operative care. We advise our patients to wear light earrings for a year after the procedure.