I am an American college student currently studying abroad in Italy. I was attacked on the street three nights ago, and at the top of my ear was torn from the outside of the lobe inwards, for maybe half of a centimeter. The hospital gave me stitches (maybe two or three), but nobody spoke English or could provide decent info. Are stitches enough? Will it ever look normal? How do I properly clean the stiches? Thank you!
September 13, 2010
Answer: Repair of ear lacerations
Hi,
Ear lacerations can be quite complex. In general, if the cartilage of the ear is lacerated, the cartilage itself would have to be stitched (sutured) to position it for proper healing. Once the cartilage repair is done, the skin can be repaired with as many stitches as necessary.
The cartilage sutures will not be visible, so unless you saw them being placed, or were told that they were placed, then you could not tell from the outside.
To care for stitches in the skin, clean them with peroxide twice daily, and apply a topical antibiotic ointment (neosporin or the like).
Overall, I would suggest that you trust the people who treated you. Should you have any deformity or problems in the future, they can be addressed effectively in the US.
Helpful
September 13, 2010
Answer: Repair of ear lacerations
Hi,
Ear lacerations can be quite complex. In general, if the cartilage of the ear is lacerated, the cartilage itself would have to be stitched (sutured) to position it for proper healing. Once the cartilage repair is done, the skin can be repaired with as many stitches as necessary.
The cartilage sutures will not be visible, so unless you saw them being placed, or were told that they were placed, then you could not tell from the outside.
To care for stitches in the skin, clean them with peroxide twice daily, and apply a topical antibiotic ointment (neosporin or the like).
Overall, I would suggest that you trust the people who treated you. Should you have any deformity or problems in the future, they can be addressed effectively in the US.
Helpful