Can Otoplasty be completely reversed 4 months post-op?

Question

Hello. I had otoplasty September 2017. It has been 4 months of feeling extremely uncomfortable with the results. My ears have healed nicely per my surgeon, however, I feel they were overcorrected and I would like the sutures to be completely removed. What is the possibility of removing the sutures to bring me back to my original ears? My ears have felt so uncomfortable and I honestly feel that my ears were just to big in my cartilage area and the fold the surgeon placed there is too much.

Kenneth Yu, MD · Answer

Hello.  I'm sorry to hear you're disappointed in your results.  Your questions are best discussed with your surgeon, since only he/she knows what was done during surgery.  There are many techniques in an otoplasty--some involving only sutures, some involving removal or cutting of cartilage.  Theoretically, if all the surgeon did was used sutures to create your fold, it may be possible to release those sutures.  But it's also very likely skin was removed from behind your ear.  Bottom line, it's possible to decrease the "over correction," but I think it's extremely difficult to "completely reverse" your otoplasty results.  Good luck.

Jeffrey Joseph, MD, FACS · Answer

Otoplasty are often slightly over corrected, as the ears typically “open up” following surgery.  If you want the ears to loosen up, I would give it a few more months.  Pictures would be helpful.

Joseph M. Perlman, MD · Answer

When a surgeon performs an otoplasty for protruding ears, he usually places permanent sutures on the backside of the cartilage and tightens each one slightly different in order to create the fold, called antihelix. If the ear is "pinned" too far back, after a few months, the surgeon can remove the suture and place a looser one or not replace it at all. Sometimes the skin behind the ear is also removed. If the removal of too much skin is the problem, then a skin graft would have to be placed in order to remove the tension on the back of the ear.

David R. Broadway, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.Without knowing exactly how your otoplasty was performed, and without photographs to see,  it is difficult to fully answer your question.  
If cartilage was removed during the procedure, a reversal could be quite difficult.  If sutures were used to bend the cartilage (e.g. Mustarde sutures) they could possibly be removed, but you may have developed scar tissue that will prevent a complete reversal of the surgery.  However, removing some of the sutures and scar may relax the new bend in the cartilage to give you the look that you desire. I would recommend another visit with your surgeon to discuss your options.  I wish you the very best!

Can Otoplasty be completely reversed 4 months post-op?

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Answer: Otoplasty Reversal

Answer: Otoplasty Reversal

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Can Otoplasty be completely reversed 4 months post-op?

Answers (4)

Answer: Otoplasty Reversal

Answer: Otoplasty Reversal

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Ear Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.