How long can I sleep on my ear after an otoplasty?

Question

I had an otoplasty 3 weeks ago and i was wondering when is it safe to sleep on my ear?

Jonathan Berman, MD · Answer

It is recommended that patients wear a headband while they sleep to ensure optimal healing for at least four weeks post-op. However, if it is not painful to sleep on the ear, it is probably alright. I would discuss this situation with your surgeon to ensure ideal results.

All the best,

Dr. Jonathan Berman

All the best,

Dr. Jonathan Berman

Bounmany Kyle Keojampa, MD, FACS · Answer

If it doesn't hurt to sleep on your ear, at 2 weeks is fine.  I do recommend patients to wear a headband at night for up to 4 weeks after surgery.  The headband is to prevent accidental pulling of the ear during sleep which could disrupt the sutures and healing.

Regina Rodman, MD · Answer

In our practice, I recommend that patients wear a headband to hold the ears back for the first week, and then wear the headband at night for the next four weeks. Of course, no one can control where the headband goes in the sleep and it often comes off. If you don't have pain when lying on your ear, it is probably safe. Wearing a headband at night may help give additional support during the healing.

Best of luck,

Dr Rodman

Best of luck,

Dr Rodman

Stephen P. Smith, Jr., MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Wound healing physiology suggests that a repair should be 80-90% as strong as it might ever be at 6-8 weeks. To be conservative and optimize patient outcomes, we recommend wearing a gentle headband while sleeping for the first 6-8 weeks after the procedure. While we understand that patients may awake without the headband as sleep is not always predictable, no adverse outcomes have yet occurred in our practice as a result. Guidelines are simply meant to improve patient outcomes!

How long can I sleep on my ear after an otoplasty?

Answers (4)

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