Complex Ear Lacerations

Overview

4.8 out of 5 (41 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

4

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

8 Mar 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


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Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6280 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7490 hours of CE.

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Activity Description

Complex ear lacerations involve irregular tissue injury or loss, exposed cartilage, or extension into the external auditory canal and commonly present in emergency and primary care settings. This course explores the unique management challenges posed by complex ear lacerations, given the ear’s intricate surface anatomy, tenuous cartilage blood supply, and functional and cosmetic importance, including successful repair, which requires a detailed understanding of auricular anatomy, vascular supply, and innervation, as well as timely decision-making regarding primary closure, delayed repair, or specialist referral. 

This activity reviews the evaluation of ear injuries, the selection of appropriate reconstructive techniques, when subspecialty consultation is warranted, and the prevention of complex ear laceration complications, such as infection, chondritis, hematoma formation, necrosis, and long-term deformity. Participants will also gain an understanding of auricular anatomy, indications for repair versus referral, anesthesia techniques, layered closure principles, and post repair management. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in performing safe and effective repairs, recognizing high-risk injuries, preventing complications, optimizing functional and cosmetic outcomes, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach when managing cases of auricular trauma.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify key features of complex ear lacerations.

  • Differentiate complex ear injuries appropriate for primary repair from those requiring delayed closure.

  • Apply layered repair principles to achieve proper cartilage alignment while preserving cosmesis and function.

  • Apply interprofessional team strategies to improve care coordination and outcomes in the management of complex ear lacerations.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Howard S. on 9/5/2021

Ariel T. on 12/9/2021

Keevil H. on 12/12/2021

Howard S. on 2/24/2022

Melissa R. on 11/5/2022

Burke C. on 12/2/2022

David g. on 1/29/2023

stephen g. on 2/27/2023

Ronald M. on 3/17/2023

Scott B. on 6/4/2023

Excellent topic!

Antonio R. on 9/5/2023

Sarah B. on 11/11/2023

Carly S. on 12/20/2023

Ana B. on 12/26/2023

Gerard P. on 12/28/2023

Jennifer M. on 12/29/2023

Excellent topic!

Antonio R. on 1/29/2024

Tiana V. on 10/10/2024

Vir P. on 12/8/2024

David G. on 1/2/2025

Timothy H. on 1/6/2025

Roxana B. on 1/15/2025

JUAN on 1/20/2025

Tiana V. on 2/6/2025

Princeton A. on 5/23/2025

Stephen M. on 5/28/2025

Stephen T. on 7/30/2025

Nirali P. on 9/18/2025

David P. on 11/21/2025

Jeffrey R. on 11/23/2025

Adeline A. on 12/7/2025

James B. on 12/31/2025

Leo O. on 1/16/2026

gila w. on 2/13/2026

Zachary O. on 3/15/2026

James B. on 5/2/2026

Dimitrios T. on 5/17/2026

David G. on 6/12/2026

Myla B. on 7/26/2026

Sarah H. on 8/13/2026

Vir P. on 8/21/2026

Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6280 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7490 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$25 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user