Otoplasty: If permanent Non Absorbable sutures become useless after 6 months then it would be possible to remove them in stages?

Question

I had otoplasty 41/2 months ago and i can feel the rubbing under the skin of some sutures while other ones are hidden in scar tissue creating a bump that hurts. I feel constant discomfort. I wish to remove them. when i try to wiggle my ears i feel a restriction is very annoying.

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

Best to follow up with your surgeon to evaluate your symptoms and see what can be done to help you. Depending on how many sutures were inserted and the degree of pre existing ear deformity will likely dictate your degree of recurrent protrusion of your ears.

Alejandro Nogueira, MD · Answer

If in the past surgeons had to use permanent sutures to pin the ears back during otoplasty, this need no longer persists thanks to modern slow resorption dissolvable sutures, which avoid the painful issues you suffer. With permanent sutures otoplasty patients always require their removal sooner or later, or even they may experience extrusion or the frightening chondritis.I strongly advice against permanent sutures within cartilage during otoplasties; I always use slow resorption ones with same long-standing effects and barely any minor issue.

Waldemar Merck, MD · Answer

It is not usual to have discomfort 4 ½ months after an otoplasty when non-absorbable sutures were used. It could be that there is a suture intolerance and it’s necessary to remove the sutures. However, if the sutures are the only stabilizing element of the otoplasty you had, then you must be prepared for the fact that your ears will return to their old position after the removal of the sutures.

Otoplasty: If permanent Non Absorbable sutures become useless after 6 months then it would be possible to remove them in stages?

Answers (3)

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