Otoplasty: how long does it take the sutures to dissolve?

Question

Just had otoplasty surgery done 8 days ago, my DR told me I have dissolvable sutures inside & outside my ears, how long does it take the sutures to dissolve ? Also what are chances of the sutures breaking before they dissolve ?

Rajat Gupta, MD, MS, DNB · Answer

The absorbable sutures depending upon their material usually absorb in 2 – 6 months. Usually the sutures that are used to hold the cartilage are strong enough and are made of permanent suture material so that they don’t dissolve and have a long lasting results.

Carlos L. Wolf, MD · Answer

Otoplasty is a type of surgery that usually very  satisfying for the patient. Different doctors use different types of sutures. Generally, the sutures that are dissolvable will be absorbed by 3 to 4 weeks. Your doctor probably put in permanent sutures inside your ear so you do not have to worry about them separating. If you are concerned I would contact him and ask him about the sutures that he left inside.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Congratulations on having undergone the otoplasty procedure. There are a variety of different types of dissolivng sutures; your plastic surgeon will be your best resource for accurate information. Having said that, most dissolving sutures dissolve some time between 2 to 4 weeks after they are placed.  Most otoplasty techniques involve the use of permanent sutures internally. Make sure that you follow your plastic surgeon's recommendations when it comes to postoperative activity restrictions. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

Waldemar Merck, MD · Answer

The use of dissolvable sutures indicates that you were operated on with a traditional method. How long they take to dissolve depends on the chemical composition of the dissolvable sutures. Monocryl sutures, for example, can take sometimes up till 5 weeks to dissolve; catgut sutures, only 1 to 2 weeks. The problem of using dissolvable sutures is that after they have dissolved, the ears are held adequately in their new position by scars. These arise if great wounds are made during the operation. No scars occur with the minimally invasive Merck Stitch Method. Therefore, non-absorbable threads are used with this method and they remain in the ear forever.

Chase Lay, MD · Answer

We don't know what sutures were used.  There's various types of dissolvable sutures but I'd assume it's some where in the range of a week to 14 days.  It's possible for them to dissolve prematurely, yes.  Also, I don't used dissolvable sutures internally for otoplasty except of the skin closure.Chase Lay MD

Otoplasty: how long does it take the sutures to dissolve?

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