Can fractured cartilage on the inferior crus of the antihelix be repaired or sutured back together? (Photo)

Question

I had some trauma on my ear which caused a fracture to my cartilage on the inferior crus of the antihelix. You can feel the split when you put your finger on it. I also have scar tissue under the antihelix now that makes it bigger. I went to an ENT doctor that said I fractured the cartilage and there was swelling awhile ago. Can a doctor make an incison on the front and access these two areas to repair them? Can a doctor suture back the cartilage together on the inferior crus?

Stephen Bresnick, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question about repairing fractured ear cartilage.  It sounds like you had a traumatic soft tissue injury to your ear which has left you unhappy with the shape of the area.First, I would recommend waiting at least six months to allow healing in the area.  Scar tissue will remodel such that the bump behind the ear may improve.The ear cartilage can be sutured together.  However, cartilage does not tend to fuse together and heal like bone.  You will always will be left with a fibrous union between the fractured edges of cartilage.  So the question is: Will my ear look better after repair than it did before?If there is a real step-off between the two edges,  it may be worth repairing.  You would have a scar, however, on the front of your ear over the repair.  Although the scar would fade over time, it is hard to know for sure that the repair, and the trade-offs made to do the repair would be worth it.   It would say yes if the fracture is deforming in appearance.      See what the six months do to help you, and good wishes!

Ken Stewart, MD, FRCS Plast · Answer

If cartilage is truly 'fractured' it is sometimes possible to improve the cosmetic appearance by shaving a ridge or by resuturing. However, cartilage does not repair like bone by reformation. The two fractures edges will heal by the fibrous union.  I would agree that leaving things alone for a least a year would help. If you are still unhappy -Dr. Charles Thorne in New York is  a colleague and an expert in ear reconstruction. I suggest you go and see him

Can fractured cartilage on the inferior crus of the antihelix be repaired or sutured back together? (Photo)

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Can fractured cartilage on the inferior crus of the antihelix be repaired or sutured back together? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Ear Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.