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Torn Or Split Earlobes

The earlobes are appendages of the ears made of soft skin and a small amount of fatty tissue. When studying the earlobe appearance and anatomy, one is often surprised about the large variation in size, form and shape. Aside from being important for a normal appearance of the ears, the earlobes serve women and men as popular locations for jewelry. Often, the earlobes are pierced to fit various forms of ear ornaments ranging from little studs to larger and heavier items.

How Do Earlobe Tears Occur?

Excessive weight or trauma can easily overcome the strength of the earlobe tissues leading to a tear in the gentle earlobe tissues. This split may be unattractive and renders the earlobe unusable for most jewelry. Sometimes, clip-on earrings can still be fitted and are used to camouflage the earlobe tear.

How Can Split Earlobes Be Corrected?

We have seen creative patients using transparent tape to temporarily repair their torn lobe. Although a resourceful idea, skin reaction may develop making this habit obsolete in the long run.

Most torn earlobes can be effectively and safely corrected using delicate surgical repair techniques. The procedure is routinely performed in the office under local anesthesia with an optional sedative. After planning and marking, a small amount of lidocaine numbing solution is deposited. The procedure itself is performed without any discomfort.

In order to rebuild the earlobe, the healed and scarred aspects of the tear require removal. Repair is then performed in a straight line or in a zigzag. The most appropriate technique will be discussed with the patient and depend on the specific location of injury and anatomy of the earlobe. Fine suture threads are used, support the repair and minimize scarring.

Small amounts of antibiotic ointment are applied at home for a few days ensuring cleanliness. The healed earlobe has usually a barely visible pencil-fine scar line without aesthetic limitations.

Can The Ear Be Pierced Again?

Yes, but Dr. Fechner asks his patients to wait for a minimum of 8 weeks before a stud can be placed. Now it is important to prevent recurrent earlobe damage. Therefore, be careful with larger ear jewelry and loops around children. Small studs are relatively safe, heavy earrings should be avoided.

Earlobe Reduction

Earlobes may be large from birth but commonly get bigger with age. A large earlobe may require substantial ear jewelry for appropriate balance; small studs may appear “lost” within the space of a fleshy earlobe. Large earlobes can be sagging and hang down too far which may benefit from a decrease of the hanging curvature. In other instances, the earlobe is rather fleshy and elongated requiring a decrease of the overall length.

An earlobe reduction is performed in the office under local anesthesia with the option of a sedative. Sometimes, earlobe reduction is performed in conjunction with a face and neck lift procedure.

Earlobe Slit (Enlarged Piercing Hole)

An incomplete tear in the earlobe usually starts at the original piercing site and continues downward for some degree. The result is an earlobe hole too large to hold ear studs. Closure of the enlarged slit-like hole can be performed in the office. A new piercing usually has to be performed but has to wait for approximately 8 weeks.

Earlobe Reconstruction (Ear Lobe Repair)

A variety of problems may require reconstructive surgery of the earlobes. Earlobe abnormalities may result from hereditary abnormalities, traumatic events, surgical procedures (i.e., for skin cancer treatment) or earlobe changes due to body art. The reconstructive approaches to most of these problems differ and depend on the specific needs of the patient. Often, a creative and artistic eye is helpful in planning these delicate earlobe procedures.

Contact

Dr. Frank Fechner

428 Shrewsbury Street,Worcester, MA 01604

Fax: (508) 754-4222 Tel: 508-306-8363

428 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA 01604

WE ARE EXCITED TO WELCOME YOU BACK TO FECHNER MD!

On behalf of the entire team at Fechner MD Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa, we would like to take a moment to say thank you again for your loyalty and support during this unprecedented time. The past several months have been unlike anything we've ever experienced, and we're working hard to evolve so that we can continue to provide you with the patient experience you have come to expect from our practice.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic, Fechner MD Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa has taken extreme precautionary measures, in addition to following the most up to date CDC recommendations and state guidelines to maximize the health and safety of our patients, staff and facility. Our surgical center and medical spa remain committed to providing the best patient care, and we are actively working to take all necessary precautions as we plan to safely re-open our practice. Please help us continue to protect the health and well-being of our patients and workplace by cooperating with all of our precautionary measures and protocols against COVID-19 at your next appointment, or as you plan for your surgery.

 

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO KEEP YOU AND OUR STAFF SAFE?

As a fully accredited surgical facility, Fechner MD has always observed the highest level of safety and sanitation. In fact, as a surgeon, Dr. Fechner is an expert in infection control. We want to ensure that we are doing everything possible for our patients to safely return for surgical and medical spa treatments alike.

  • Our accredited practice is exclusively reserved for our patients and staff.
  • Our facility is in a single, free standing building only occupied by our practice. This allows us to limit foot traffic to our patients and staff only.
  • Our staff work only at our facility and all travel in private transport. All of us are otherwise self-isolating at home.
  • We closely monitor our staff for symptoms and elevated temperature daily.
  • We sterilize all our instruments in house further reducing potential exposure.
  • We have PPE to meet our needs.
  • All our staff members will be using appropriate PPE including N95 masks and protective facei shields, goggles and head coverings.
  • We have purchased and installed air scrubbers throughout the facility to clean the air while the practice is open to patients.
  • We have purchased and installed ozone generators designed to sanitize the air in the facility at the end of each day.
  • We have purchased and installed touchless hand sanitizer units throughout the building.
  • We have purchased and installed plexi-glass protective shields in the reception area to provide a protective barrier for staff and patients.
  • Our staff continues to adhere to social distancing guidelines within our facility.
  • We have implemented a stringent survey and testing protocol for staff and patients.
  • We have implemented a virtual check in/ check out process for our patients.
  • We have ensured that there is minimum interaction of patients with other people while in the office.
  • We will continue to offer virtual consults and virtual follow up visits.
  • We provide you with a touchless payment system.

The upgraded work flow and safety protocols we have implemented at Fechner MD far exceed those being recommended by any government agency.

 

WHEN WILL FECHNER MD PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDICAL SPA OPEN?

Fechner MD will adhere to all local, state, and government mandates. We expect to cautiously resume medical spa and injectable treatments during Phase 2 of the Massachusetts phased reopening. We are awaiting a definitive date from Governor Baker. Cosmetic surgery is expected to resume during Phase 3 of Governor Baker’s plan. We ask for your patience and understanding as our staff is working diligently to reschedule all surgeries and procedures affected by our closure. Please understand that in order to open and adhere to Massachusetts guidelines, we will need to limit the number of staff and patients we have in our building and extend the time between patient appointments in order to sanitize rooms. This means we will have fewer available openings for procedures. In order to maximize our provider appointments, we will continue to hold consultations virtually rather than in person, with a few exceptions (body contouring, Instalift, vein treatments).

 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AT FECHNER MD?

  • We will do our best to accommodate your preferred appointment date and time, but we very much appreciate your flexibility during this unprecedented time.
  • When booking your appointment, we will ask for your payment information to be securely stored in our payment system. The card you provide will be the card used to pay for your services. This will allow for a touchless checkout.
  • Required forms and documents will be sent to you electronically two days prior to your scheduled appointment via our new patient app, Touch MD. Touch MD will allow you to receive, review and sign documents directly from your personal cell phone.
  • One hour prior to your appointment, we will send you the Covid-19 Wellness Screening document to be completed via Touch MD. This must be completed prior to entering the building.

 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I ARRIVE FOR MY APPOINTMENT?

  • When you arrive for your scheduled appointment time, we ask that you park and remain in your car. Please send us a text message or call to let us know that you have arrived for your appointment.
  • When your provider is ready for your treatment, she will call or text you to let you know you may proceed to our vestibule.
  • Please leave your coat and personal belongings in your car.
  • Please do not bring along family or friends, unless you require physical assistance. They will not be allowed entry to the building.
  • Please wear your mask prior to entering the building and throughout your appointment. Should your mask need to be removed for treatment, your provider will let you know when to safely remove it.
  • Your provider will greet you at the door and will take a no contact temperature reading. *Any patient with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will be asked to leave the building and their appointment will be rescheduled a minimum of 14 days later.
  • You will be escorted immediately to a treatment room. Our waiting room will not be open during this time.
  • After your procedure or treatment the provider will collect payment via our secure payment system with the information you provided at booking.
  • Your provider will book a virtual follow up appointment with you, if necessary, and will escort you to the exit.

 

We thank you in advance for your patience throughout this time, and we look forward to seeing you here again as we begin to resume business operations. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Fechner MD Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa at (508) 754-4000 and our team will gladly assist you. Thank you!

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