How Can my Cauliflower Ear Be Repaired? (photo)

I've had these for over ten years, a doctor already worked on the left one (which got worse after the surgery than pre-op!) I would really like to get this fixed if possible. A plastic surgeon or an Ear Nose Throat specialist? Also, how can I find a reputable plastic surgeon? It is quite daunting looking for one, there are so many and I am not sure who I can trust with this procedure! Please assist, thank you very much.

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cauliflower ear options

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by hazuki77 in Cypress, CA

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Fixing cauliflower ears

Cauliflower ears are very difficult to fix fully. The process of improving the appearance of the ear involves raising the skin overlying the collection of scar tissue. Then the scar must be carved or shaved away. Next you have to get the skin flap to lay back down over the underlying cartilage without having more scar collect. The overlying skin is often thicker than normal after this kind of injury which makes it even more difficult to fully recreate the normal ear architecture. You... more

Surgical correction of cauliflower ear

The problem of cauliflower ear is one that is preventable if picked up early. However, once cartilage becomes scarred and warped, the process of reconstruction can be quite difficult. This process can distort the very delicate ear cartilage in a permanent way. As with most problems in plastic surgery, the degree of intial deformity will usually dictate how difficult the problem is to correct. Mild cauliflower deformities, as in your case, may be dealt with by... more

Cauliflower Ear

Cauliflower ears form due to hematoma formation after trauma. If the hematoma is not drained and/or if pressure is not applied, the cartilage in the ear is stimulated to produce scar tissue and cartilage. The treatment for this problem is surgical, with elevation of a skin flap and shaving down of the cartilage. Pressure must then be applied in the form of a splint or bolster to prevent reformation of the deformity. Refraining from contact sports for 4-6 weeks is... more

Correction of cauliflower ear can be unpredictable.

Cauliflower ears develop secondary abnormal cartilage development and scar formation following trauma to the ear. Surgical correction in itself results in another form of trauma and the healing will have to be controlled such that the same deformity does not recur. The extent of surgery will depend on the patient's expectations and degree of deformity.

Finding the Best Plastic Surgeon for Ear Corrective Surgery including Cauliflower Ear

Picking the best plastic surgeon for cauliflower ear deformity correction is important as this is a difficult condition to correct. Make sure you ask about their experience in this particular type of repair. The most critical decision to be made in achieving the best plastic surgical result is picking the most experienced and talented, that is the best, plastic surgeon possible. Too often, patients choose a physician based on a catchy ad, the brand name of a technique, the basis... more

Otoplasty to correct cauliflower ears

This can be done. It requires cartilage shaping and then readjustment of the skin in a more adherent way to preserve the new structures that have been shaped.

Philip Young, MD

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Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cauiflower ears

Fro the pictures posted it looks that you probably had trauma to the ears and had a hematoma which caused excess cartilage to form. You can consult a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon (American Board of Plastic Surgery) and discuss reshaping the cartilage.