Otoplasty Asymmetry: Can I Get Minor Adjustment, Revision

Dear Otoplasty patient from Auckland,
One the most common complications associated with Otoplasty is asymmetry. If your asymmetry has been present since your operation, this is under-correction. However, appearance of asymmetry one month after Otoplasty indicates a relapse. In any case correction can be made under local anesthesia with oral sedation. Good luck and good healing.
 

Revising the persistently prominent ear may certainly be possible in your case. An examination would allow for a better assessment of what would need to be done to correct the problem.

The cartilage in the ear has "memory".  It wants to move back to its original shape. That is why most of us try to file down the front of the cartilage when we do this operation.  In any case, our office tends to wait a few months before considering re-do surgery.  This allows the swelling to go down.  The scar also needs to set up.  It is difficult to comment on your particular case without before and after photos.  Do tell your plastic surgeon your concerns.  It is important that he knows...

This is an easy fix under local anesthesia.  It's simple and straight foward with minimal risk. I would recommend you discuss it with you surgeon.

Sincerely,

Dr Gartner

Differentiating between relapse and under correction is easily done by asking one question- were the ears initially symmetric. If they were, then it's a relapse, if not, then under correction.
Either way, since it has been 3 months, it is reasonable to undergo a revision at this point. Depending on what needs to be done, you may be able to have this done under local anesthesia. Good luck

I read your concern. I don't think that a "minor adjustment" in the position of your ear is a minor undertaking. You would likely need to have the incision behind your ear re-opened, and have the skin behind your ear lifted, just like with your initial surgery, to place Moustarde sutures. Your ears may relax outward slightly over the next 9 months, so it would probably be best to sit tight till you see your final result.

Feel free to email your photos, and I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you.

Regards from NJ

The surgical term otoplasty represents a spectrum of surgical interventions that are focused on developing symmetric and refined ear shapes. The differences between you two ear shapes could represent a minor or more involved procedure depending on where the differences are located and the original surgical intervention. It is important to review this with your original surgeon, but take heart in knowing that it sounds very correctable. Be healthy and be well,James M. Ridgway, MD, FACS

Unfortunately, even in the most experienced hands, revision surgery is a part of plastic surgery.  Thankfully, it is relatively uncommon.  The most frequent complication associated with otoplasty is relapse.  You are probably already aware of this.  I agree that 4 mm of asymmetry is less than desirable.  Whatever the case, a "minor revision" should be possible under local anesthesia.  This may involve reopening the incision behind the ear and using either sutures, cartilage remodeling, or both to achieve greater symmetry. The best first step is to communicate this issue with your physician.  In my practice, minor revisions are free of charge when they can be achieved under local anesthesia and when I performed the primary procedure.  I hope this helps.  Good luck!

Asymmetry after otoplasty can be happened.I found a useful way to avoid as much as possible similar problems after surgery counting the distance ear-head with a ruler during surgery for both ears.This is very helpful for the Dr to achieve symmetrical results.You will be able to correct the ear 6 months later with a minor procedure under local anesthesia.

4 mm seems like it's small but could be significant. I have a patient that is concerned about 1-2mm. This should be fairly straightforward. You liked need more weakening of the ear cartilage or more tissue removal from behind and resetting it back.