When will my stitches from otoplasty dissolve?

Question

I had otoplasty done a month ago. I believe they put permanent sutures on the inside to keep my ear permanently pinned, but there are stitches on outside as well. They said these stitches were dissolvable but they are not dissolving or going away. Is this normal, and if not, what should I do?

Stephanie Beidler Teotia, MD · Answer

You should contact your plastic surgeon's office and let them know the sutures are not dissolving.

Jeffrey B. Wise, MD, FACS · Answer

I have performed countless numbers of these procedures.  For patient comfort, I typically place dissolvable sutures in the incision, that is always positioned in the crease behind the ear, and never in the front.Sutures typically go away by a week or two.  If material remains, I recommend gentle washing behind the ears to eliminate the material.  Follow up with your surgeon is always critical!Best of luck!

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