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Weird smell on the bottom of the back of my ear. Could this be an infection? (Photo)

Anthony1696Apr 14, 2017
It's been 10 months since my otoplasty and lately I've noticed I've been developing a weird smell on my left ear. Could this be an infection? And if so what would happen to the sutures inside? It taken out would my ear go back to portruding?

Answers (3)

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Dr. Daniel Barrett, MD
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Dr. Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
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Answered on Apr 17, 2017
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Dr. Robert H. Woods, MD
Dr. Robert H. Woods, MD
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Apr 17, 2017
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Dr. Talmage J. Raine, MD, FACS (retired)
Dr. Talmage J. Raine, MD, FACS (retired)
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Answered on Apr 18, 2017
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Rajat Gupta, MD, MS, DNB

Sutures only become visible after Otoplasty if they are not properly buried. If they become visible, there is a chance that they become infected and there is no other way to clear the infection other than taking the sutures out. Problem with Otoplasty is that if you take the sutures out, you...

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Jonathan Adamthwaite, FRCS (Plast)

Many thanks for your question. You appear to have a Stahl's ear deformity which can be significantly improved with ear surgery. I would strongly advise seeing a plastic surgeon experienced in correcting congenital ear problems such as this to achieve the best outcome. All the very best. Jonathan...

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Carlos L. Wolf, MD

Every doctor has a different idea of when ears can be wet after surgery. I generally tell my patients that they can wer their ears are approximately one week after surgery. After wetting their  ears I suggest patients dry their east immediately. as always, you should ask your own doctor before c...

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Rajat Gupta, MD, MS, DNB

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.

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