# DeepPlane.com — /recovery/complications/pixie-ear

> Machine-readable markdown summary. Full article: https://deepplane.com/recovery/complications/pixie-ear
> Last built: 2026-06-03 · Medically reviewed by Dr. Yakup Duman, MD.
> License: CC BY 4.0 — Source: DeepPlane.com

## Frequently asked questions

### Can a pixie ear deformity be fixed?

Yes — Z-plasty earlobe revision under local anaesthesia, typically 30-45 min per side. Surgeon releases the skin tension at the earlobe attachment, repositions the lobe to its natural pendulum position, and closes with a Z-plasty or subcutaneous suspension to prevent recurrence. Best done at 12+ months post-primary when scars are mature. Cost typically $1500-$3500 per side. The dominant prevention lever is choosing a deep plane technique surgeon at the primary — pixie ear is essentially a skin-only / lateral-vector technique signature, NOT a deep plane finding (incidence drops from 5-15% in old technique to <1% in modern deep plane).

*Topics: complications, pixie-ear*

## Fact-checked claims on this page

- **True** — Pixie ear deformity after deep plane facelift is mostly preventable through proper surgical technique
  - Source: Pixie ear (earlobe pulled forward by skin tension) is a marker of skin-only or lateral-vector technique — NOT proper deep plane technique. In old skin-only facelifts incidence runs 5-15%; in modern deep plane it drops below 1% because the deep plane lifts the underlying SMAS-platysma composite flap, eliminating the skin-tension mechanism. Surgeon technique is the dominant prevention lever — choosing a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with 50+ deep plane cases/year drops incidence dramatically. Correction: Z-plasty earlobe revision under local anaesthesia, $1500-3500/side, best done at 12+ months post-primary when scars are mature

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