How will cauliflower ear affect my results? 1 year post op

Question

If you had an otoplasty a year ago and you went back to sports like wrestling and bjj that causes cauliflower ear ( I’m wearing headgear all the time during the sports but still worried) does getting cauliflower ear effect the procedure even though it’s been a year? If cauliflower ear occurred am I allowed to drain it normally and will that affect the procedure (otoplasty)? If the ear keeps refilling after draining can I put magnets on the ear so that it doesn’t refill again?

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

At the time of an otoplasty, the soft supple cartilage is gently bent into the correct position and held in place with sutures. The contact sports that you’re participating in can cause bleeding between the skin and the fine cartilage of the ear, which results in the cartilage, becoming overgrown, stiff, and non-pliable. The trauma could also disrupt the sutures and rip the cartilage, and the overgrowth and thickening of the cartilage would definitely affect your results.

How will cauliflower ear affect my results? 1 year post op

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