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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: