This injury usually occurs as the result of the weight of heavy earrings on pierced ears or may be caused by trauma, such as an earring being pulled from the ear. The plastic surgeon can usually repair the earlobe in about half an hour using local anaesthesia. The split is stitched together with special sutures to minimize scarring. The stitches are removed in about 4-5 days, and patients can have their ears pierced again in approximately three-four weeks.