What Causes Pointed Protrusions on Either End of Abdominoplasty Scar?

Dog ears, excess of skin at the end of the incisions, after a tummy tuck are generally due to a lack of intra-operative attention and meticulousness. Once the upper abdominal skin is brought down during the abdominoplasty there are methods that we use to assess the need to take care of the dog ear. This generally includes slight extension of the incision to a point that there is smooth transition. This takes a little time and passion to do. If not done, then patient will come back later for a fix. So, dog ears are preventable. If they do occur they can be fixed very easily. Best of luck

Irregular scars at the end of tummy tuck incisions are referred to as "dog ears"; which are raised areas of skin. These can be avoided at the time of surgery by careful incision planning as well as by liposuction of this area so that the "corners" are flat. If this is recognized at the conclusion of a tummy tuck, the incision can easily be extended a few centimeters and the extra skin is trimmed until the contour is flat.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bruno

It sounds like what you are describing is what most people call "dog ears."  This is an out-pouching of skin at either end of the incision in an abdominoplasty.  This happens when the surgeon make the incision too short or the patient demands a mini-incision.  It is physically impossible excise skin and bring the edges together smoothly while trying to cheat the incision shorter.  This only leads to "dog ears" or irregularities in the skin contour.  Without pictures or seeing you in person, it is impossible to give you specific advice.  However, if you draw a line from your pubis (top of your pubic hair) to your belly button and measure the distance, your incision will have to be at least three times this distance - oriented horizontally in your lower abdomen.  This usually is just a little sider than the distance from hip bone to hip bone.  Another way to guide your incision length is to look at your lower abdominal skin fold.  If your skin is hanging over, follow the distance laterally (to the side) as far as the fold extends on your sides.  This is usually the approximate length of the necessary incision.

 

Good Luck.