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Otoplasty - Dissolvable Vs Permanent Sutures

asked 1 year ago by John M in Sydney
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 1,195 times
Tags: revision, sutures

4 months ago I had a bilateral Otoplasty to correct my prominent ears. My surgeon used the Mustarde technique with dissolvable sutures. My ears initially healed well, but several months on, both ears relapsed to their pre-op state. My surgeon says that as the sutures dissolved, the ears have subsequently relapsed. He has suggested a revision using permanent sutures. There seems to be some debate over the use of permanent vs dissolvable sutures? What are the risks/benefits for each?...

11 answers to Otoplasty - Dissolvable Vs Permanent Sutures

+2

Recurrance of prominent ears after otoplasty

Dear Otoplasty patient from Sydney, One the most common complications associated with Otoplasty in adults is recurrence of the prominent ears. It also depends if any conchal cartilage was reseceted or not. I personally use permanent sutures and remove conchal cartilage for adults to prevent recurrence.  
Kevin Sadati, DO

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty suture material

Generally I think it is a good idea to use permanent suture suture performing otoplasty surgery. Otherwise, I think you're risking an increased chance of recurrence of the prominent ears. The potential downsides of permanent suture ( including palpability, infection, extrusion and potential need for removal) are outweighed by the advantages of a permanent setback of the ears. Best wishes.
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty; recurrence four months after procedure

I am sorry you are having trouble with your ears after your surgery. As the other surgeons have said, I routinely use permanent sutures for otoplasty. I am concerned that dissolvable suture would not hold over time.  I also usually score the anterior aspect of the cartilage.  this weakens the front side of the cartilage allowing it to curl backwards to a more natural position.  With the use of permanent sutures and anterior scoring, my recurrence rate is low, but not... more
Gordon Lewis, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon
+1

Permanent sutures for otoplasty

I always use permanent sutures for otoplasty.  Yes, they may become infected, but this is not common if done properly.  In some cases the cartilage may be weakened at the time of surgery and you might get lucky with resorbable sutures, but I would not want to take a chance.  Donald R Nunn MD, DDS  Plastic Surgeon
Donald Nunn, MD, DDS

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recurrence of prominent ears at 4 months following an otoplasty

Total recurrence of your ear deformities, on both sides and in 4 months is not acceptable and may very well be related to the usage of absorbable sutures and even which type was used as some will not last nearly as long as others. My recommendation is for permanent sutures as other plastic surgeons have stated. This largely precludes the situation that you are dealing with now. Good luck!
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty Options

Otoplasty is a procedure to correct deformities of the ear.  Most of the time, otoplasty is done to make the ears less protruding.  The two most common maneuvers for this are Mustarde sutures and conchal setback, and there are several more as well.  The effect of Mustarde sutures are to recreate a fold in the ear that is normally there.  In performing this procedure 2 mistakes are commonly made:   (1) Ear cartilage has memory--it wants to keep its shape... more
Andrew Winkler, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty (Ear Pinning) Surgery - Dissolvable Vs Permanent Sutures

Regarding : "Otoplasty - Dissolvable Vs Permanent Sutures 4 months ago I had a bilateral Otoplasty to correct my prominent ears. My surgeon used the Mustarde technique with dissolvable sutures. My ears initially healed well, but several months on, both ears relapsed to their pre-op state. My surgeon says that as the sutures dissolved, the ears have subsequently relapsed. He has suggested a revision using permanent sutures. There seems to be some debate over the use of permanent vs... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ottoplasty

Ottoplasty Involves many steps, weakening the cartilage(aberading). sutures and some times removal of  an elipse of conchal caretillage. Both permanent and absorbable sutures are used. I use permanent sutures to prevent recurrence.
Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty

In my opinion the chances of recurrence are high in adults irrespective of type of suture material. The cartilage has memory and tends to unfurl back unless the cartilage is incised and rolled over to form a stable antihelical fold. In my experience this has reduced the chances of recurrence.
Sanjay Parashar, MD

Dubai Plastic Surgeon
+1

In my practice, 4-0 nylon, permanent sutures are used for Otoplasty Surgery.

I read your concern. I'm sorry your ears reverted to their pre-op state after your otoplasty surgery. I have been tempted for years to try long lasting (90-120 days) absorbable sutures, like PDS sutures, for my otoplasty patients. Permanent sutures are associated with extrusion in around 5% of otoplasty surgeries. This is an acceptable complication rate: an extruded suture may present  well over a year after your surgery, and extrusion typically does not compromise your... more
Eric M. Joseph, MD

West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Sutures to use for Otoplasty Ear Pinning procedure

Hello, John, the sutures that are used to shape the ear cartilage can be of absorbable or non absorbable material.  I personally use non absorbable because I feel they do hold up better over time.  The disadvantage is the occasional rejection of the suture by the body.  This is rare and easily managed with a simple suture removal.  Make sure you visit with your surgeon and discuss the pro's and cons with in depth.  Hope this was helpful.   Dr D.... more
Louis M. DeJoseph, MD

Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon

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