Can The Greater Auricular Nerve Be Repaired After A Facelift?

Q: Dr. Eppley, Are you able to repair the greater auricular nerve that was damaged in a neck lift?

A:That depends on the nature of the nerve injury. Was it cut? Was it trapped in a suture/scar? Can the nerve or its ends be found amidst the scar? These are all questions which can not be known beforehand as there is no nerve imaging or tests that can identify the type of injury that the nerve has sustained. This information can only be known by intraoperative exploration which would determine what would be possible.

The symptoms you are having may provide some insight (numbness vs pain).

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon