Ear Piercing Complications: Comparing Cartilage and Soft Tissue Piercings in a Large Survey Cohort

John P Ziegler; Nitin A Pagedar; McKay Moline; Kathryn Marcus; Zachary G Tanenbaum; Henry T Hoffman; Scott R Owen

doi:10.1002/lary.70572

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Ear Piercing Complications: Comparing Cartilage and Soft Tissue Piercings in a Large Survey Cohort

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Ear Piercing Complications: Comparing Cartilage and Soft Tissue Piercings in a Large Survey Cohort

John P Ziegler, Nitin A Pagedar, McKay Moline, Kathryn Marcus, Zachary G Tanenbaum, Henry T Hoffman and Scott R Owen

The Laryngoscope

04/17/2026

DOI: 10.1002/lary.70572

PMID: 41998811

Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access

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Abstract

To compare complication and removal rates between cartilage and lobule ear piercings in a large adult population. An anonymous electronic survey was distributed to all individuals with a University of Iowa email address. Respondents reported demographic characteristics, piercing site, age at piercing, technique, personnel, and specific complications. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated complication and removal rates between cartilage and lobule sites. Data were analyzed on 9016 ear piercings from 3270 respondents, including 6275 (69.6%) lobule piercings and 2741 (30.4%) auricular cartilage piercings. Complications were reported in 40.2% of cartilage piercings versus 25.4% of lobule piercings (odds ratio [OR] 1.98, p < 0.0001). Infection occurred in 30.3% of cartilage piercings versus 23.8% of lobule piercings (OR 1.39, p < 0.0001). Additionally, cartilage site and presence of any complication each independently predicted piercing removal (OR 1.62, p < 0.0001; OR 12.82, p < 0.0001). Cartilage piercings carried significantly greater odds of complication and removal compared to lobule piercings. These findings underscore the importance of thorough counseling and informed consent, especially when piercing through auricular cartilage.

complication

infection

piercing

cartilage

UIOWA OA Agreement

Details

Title: Subtitle: Ear Piercing Complications: Comparing Cartilage and Soft Tissue Piercings in a Large Survey Cohort
Creators: John P Ziegler - University of Iowa
Nitin A Pagedar - University of Iowa
McKay Moline - Colorado Mesa University
Kathryn Marcus - Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
Zachary G Tanenbaum - University of Iowa
Henry T Hoffman - University of Iowa
Scott R Owen - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: The Laryngoscope
DOI: 10.1002/lary.70572
PMID: 41998811
NLM abbreviation: Laryngoscope
ISSN: 1531-4995
eISSN: 1531-4995
Publisher: Wiley
Grant note: Supported in part by NIH/NCI P30CA086862 / Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa UM1TR004403 / Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 04/17/2026
Academic Unit: Radiation Oncology; Otolaryngology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9985153397902771

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