What Happens when Otoplasty Stitches Are Left in Too Long?

asked 1 year ago by mrusza2 in Chicago, IL
Latest answer by Andrew Miller, MD
Question viewed 616 times
Tags: itchy, pain, sore, timing

I'm having my otoplasty stitches removed exactly 21 days after surgery. They're not infected, only a little sore. will removing them after waiting so long be very painful?

5 answers to What Happens when Otoplasty Stitches Are Left in Too Long?

Otoplasty Sutures...

There are many different options for suturing an otoplasty incision. I use dissolvable sutures so no removal is needed. If we were to use sutures that don't dissolve, I would typically take them out in 7-10 days. After 21 days they may a little more sensitive, but it shouldn't be too bad. The most important thing is having a nice long lasting result from your otoplasty

Andrew Miller, MD
Edison Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty ear plastic surgery sutures are usually removed 6 days after the procedure

Otoplasty ear plastic surgery sutures are usually removed 6 days after the procedure. Many times the sutures that are put are absorbable and will dissolve on its own. If they were left in longer than that, the absorbable sutures are not likely going to make a huge difference in terms of your end result. But if they are the permanent kind, you could get what you call train track markings. Essentially the pressure from the sutures when they are left in too long will cause marks to form that... more

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty sutures in too long?

The deep sutures placed in otoplasty to reshape the cartilage are usually permanent, so they are never removed. Skin sutures, on the other hand, are usually removed in about a week. Often, I will use dissolvable skin sutures, but will still remove them after a week or so. Leaving sutures in for too long can lead to unfavorable scarring.

Ryan Greene, MD, PhD
Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon

Stitches in Otoplasty

Otoplasty requires placing a new fold in the ears that is present in most of the population, but is lacking in individuals with prominent ears. After the fold is created, sutures are placed to keep the ear from returning to the position it was in prior to the surgery. For most surgeons, these sutures are not removed and generally the ear cartilage accepts them without reaction. There are a second set of sutures that are placed on the skin. These sutures are removed in about one week after... more

Temp Patterson, MD
Burley Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty Suture Removal Timing

Otoplasty involves two sets of sutures. There are sutures in the cartilage which are under the skin and will remain in your ears for the rest of your life. Sometimes you can feel a little bump where a know is from these sutures but usually you can't. The other set of sutures is in the skin. These hold the skin together until it is healed and then they are removed. I use disolvable sutures which often times don't need to be removed because they simply... more

Louis W. Apostolakis, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

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