3 Months Post-Op Ear Pinning, Left Ear is Protruding More than the Right, is a Revision Needed?

My 8 year old daughter had her ears pinned three months ago and now the left ear appears to be protruding more than the right. Before surgery it protruded significantly more than the right ear. The right ear looks like it did after But the left does not. Will she need another ear pinning for the left ear? How can it be done to be permant this time?

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age 17 or under protruding uneven female 3 months post-op revision

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by Ears in question in Gilbert, AZ

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Otoplasty asymmetry after 3 months

At 3 months you probably have 70% of the healing done. It may not change the outcome but you may want to wait for a full 6 months before considering a revision. You should know that asymmetry is normal and not all ears are alike in the normal population. Ultimately, you will have to decide if a revision is worth correcting the amount of asymmetry that is present. You preferences are the most important no matter that asymmetry is normally found in the population.

Philip Young, MD

6 reviews

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty Meaurements

In the normal population, the variability between the ears is about 4mm - that is the normal variation in nature from ear to ear in about 4mm. After otoplasty, I try to keep the variation from side to side within 2mm. But if the variation is more than 4mm and is noticeable, revision surgery may be needed. The good news is that the correction would usually fix the difference. Young children can have strong, resilient cartilage, so this can happen.

Revision otoplasty

Asymmetry of the ears is common but you are questioning another issue and that is whether the suture holding the ear back could have loosened or broken. The answer is that can happen for a variety or confluence of reasons by no fault of the surgeon or your daughter. In that case, a revision would be necessary to re-pin the ear. You should discuss this with the plastic surgeon and, given you daughter's age, plan from there. You may need to give everything a bit more time to settle down... more

Ear Asymmetry after Otoplasty

Thank you for the question. Whether your daughter will need revisionary surgery depends on the degree of asymmetry that is present and whether it concerns her and/or you. Keep in mind that it is likely that the ears will never be absolutely symmetrical (and that the casual observer never looks at both ears at the same time). I would suggest follow-up with your plastic surgeon to address questions and concerns. Permanency of correction of the setback cannot be guaranteed... more

Need For Revisional Surgery After Otoplasty

The long-term results of otoplasty surgery depend on the stability and healing of the sutures that are holding the ear cartilages in their new shape. Between swelling and tissue relaxation it can take up to six months after surgery to see the final result and the symmetry between the two ears. Perfect symmetry between the two ears in otoplasty does not always occur and about 5% to 10% of patients may desire some minor touchups to improve their shape and symmetry. In the case of one ear that... more

Asymmetry after Otoplasty for Protruding Ears

Asymmetry or unequal appearence of the ears after otoplasty for protruding ear can occur for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the ears are asymmetrical before surgery and, therefore, it may not be possible to make them perfectly symetrical. Allthough symmetrical at the conclusion of the otoplasty procedure, sometimes the ears may be pulled by the patient, or folded during sleep causing some of the stiches to tear trhough the cartilage, or break. To reduce the... more