My ears are over-corrected after an otoplasty. After stitches dissolve, will they spring out?

Question

hello i recently had otoplasty surgery my ears seems to be over corrected and dont look normal at all i was wondering once the dissovable stitches come out will they spring out at all? i am very concerned and not happy about them. could u please help!

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

In the post-operative period ear
cartilage has a tendency to relax and spring forward.  For this reason, it’s not unusual for surgeons to slightly
over correct the ear position during otoplasty.

When this occurs, the ears appear
to be tightly fixed to the side of the head.  When this happens gentle massage of the ear is
appropriate.  Over the course of
time the ears relax and may spring forward.  This may take 2 to 3 months and usually results in a normal
ear position.  Since absorbable
sutures were used there’s a good chance that some improvement will occur.

It’s important that you stay close,
to your surgeon.  Your surgeon
should be able to make appropriate recommendations.  In a small number of cases the ears won’t spring
forward.  If the ears haven’t come
forward in six months secondary revision may be necessary.

Thomas T. Le, MD · Answer

Waiting for a natural rebound of the ears is always the best bet. If you progress to more than 2-3 months postop, your overcorrection will likely be long-lasting. Massaging the ears strategically may help release some of the tension from your sutures, but if you had significant cartilage removal, massage then may not work too well. In the latter case a revisioin may be necessary. In general, always talk to your doctor, who of course would know the particular procedure you had done. A thorough evaluation is necesary.

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

Yes, if dissolvable sutures were used, over-correction is necessary because the ear will relax back once the sutures dissolve. In order to see an improvement, the doctor must over correct. When I perform an Otoplasty, I use permanent sutures. As a result, over-correction is not necessary and the results are permanent.

Ritu Chopra, MD · Answer

Nearly all Otoplasty techniques rely upon permanent sutures in the cartilages to hold them in place. Exploring the repair, re-doing the sutures may be all that is required. It would be wise to obtain the original operative report to see exactly how it was done the first time.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I read your concern. It's common to see a few millimeters of relaxation over the first year after your Otoplasty Surgery. Feel free to post or email your photos, along with a description of what bothers you, and I'll be happy to share my thoughts with you.

	Regards from NJ:

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

Wait 4-6 months and if no improvement see an experienced surgeon as well as your surgeon to see what can be done.

Mark Domanski, MD · Answer

There is frequently some recurrence that occurs with otoplasty.  For this reason, many surgeons over-correct the pushback.
There are often permanent sutures and cartilage work that is done to minimize recurrence.  The dissolvable sutures are more frequently used on skin closure.
The postoperative period is often challenging from an emotional standpoint.  Feelings of concern are not unusual.
Please call your plastic surgeon to obtain specific advice on your situation.

Waldemar Merck, MD · Answer

I hope that your problem has been resolved now. In case it hasn’t been yet, then it will depend on whether you were operated on with the traditional or the stitch method. With ears that were operated on with the traditional method, it is not always easy to move the ears further away from the head again due to the scar formation. With ears that were operated on with the stitch method, one only needs to remove the top thread and, if necessary, replace it with a new thread that is not pulled so tightly.

Neal Goldberg, MD · Answer

There is always some initial overcorrection that adjusts after several weeks. If, by 4-6 weeks, the ears still look too close to the head then the likelihood is that a correction is needed. The problem can be solved, but how depends on the techniques used in the first operation. Most likely thre are stitches inside the ear that can be released and replaced more loosely to adjust the position.

Navin K. Singh, MD · Answer

The ears have a tendency to return to their original shape. This is why plastic surgeons tend to over correct slightly, to allow for "recoil". Do not be alarmed and wait until your ears are done healing, which typically takes about 6-12 weeks. When you return to your plastic surgeon for a follow up, discuss your concerns. I’m sure they will explain the procedure and reassure you of a favorable outcome after the healing process is mature. If there is persistent over-correction, it may be correctable with a minor touch up in the appropriate time frame.

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