My Left Ear Ear is Protruding out Like Dumbo After a Ear Surgery. Is That Permanent or Just Swelling? (photo)

Because so much tissue was disrupted including periostium and bone behind your ear, this tissue pushes the entire back of your ear forward causing your ear to stick out prominently.  There is always the possibility of a blood clot behind your ear, but that would be easy to spot because of blood oozing out from the suture line and a bulge under the skin.  More than likely, this is just swelling and should go down with time.  A short burst of corticosteroid might be appropriate to decrease the swelling, but only if your surgeon believes in this type of medical intervention. 

Your ear protrusion is likely related to swelling in the area behind your ear. Without knowing you or seeing photos it is impossible to say with complete certainty. However, during cholesteatoma surgery, nothing is done to change the shape of the ear and the incision behind the ear tends to heal well. If you have significant pain, bruising or swelling you should have your surgeon evaluate your ear to ensure you do not have a collection of fluid that is pushing the ear out further than usual. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACS

At two to three days after surgery, this is the period of maximal swelling. This should all dissipate in a few weeks when the swelling goes down and the ear returns to its normal position.