Do I need surgery to fix failed otoplasty or will time heal?

Question

I had double ear otoplasty in March and my left ear's PDS sutures were not strong enough to hold after 7 weeks of headband. I felt pain and my ear was moving away from my head. Also went numb and blocked. I have worn a headband for another 8 weeks. My ear has regained feeling but still feels like it can't hold itself without the headband. The doctor who performed the surgery said to wear a headband for 3-6 months for the sutures to be absorbed, but I don't know if I can trust this will work.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions. Without an exam or some photos, it is very hard to evaluate your concern. I would suggest you follow your surgeon's instructions. If there is a chance that some non-surgical things may help the outcome, that is always worth a try. If after a year from your procedure, you are not happy with the outcome, you can always consider discussing a revision procedure.Good luck!

Amiya Prasad, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. You are asking if you will need additional surgery to repair an unsuccessful otoplasty, as the PDS sutures were not strong enough to hold after 7 weeks of using the headband. You indicate you used the headband for an additional 8 weeks, but you feel the sutures alone cannot hold your ears. Your doctor asked you to use the headband for 3-6 months until the sutures absorb, but you are not confident in your doctor.
I can certainly give you some guidance about your ears, even without a photo, and in the absence of a physical exam. I’m Dr. Amiya Prasad. I’m a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon and Fellowship-trained Oculoplastic Surgeon. I’ve been in practice in Manhattan and Long Island for over 20 years. I perform all types of cosmetic ear procedures from bringing back prominent ears, ear reshaping, earlobe reduction, and even correcting pixie ear deformities due to facelifts.
Without knowing additional details about your procedure, I have to assume that your doctor pinned your ears back using sutures alone, and did not weaken or remove any ear cartilage. In otoplasty, it is common for many doctors to do a setback procedure using sutures alone, and hoping the sutures are strong enough to hold the ears close to the head. However, in many cases, the sutures alone are just not strong enough. When I perform otoplasty, I do remove some cartilage, especially at the middle third of the ear because that’s where extra cartilage is likely to cause ear prominence. In some cases, ear cartilage is weakened, then bent to reduce prominence. Without cartilage removal or weakening, the chances of prominent ear regression are pretty high. I use Mustarde sutures, which are permanent sutures, to hold the ear back after weakening or removing cartilage. 
I suggest you talk to your original surgeon about cartilage weakening of removal. If it’s not something they perform, then their experience in otoplasty is limited, so you can see a more experienced surgeon. I don’t recommend that you go to another doctor, or have another procedure using sutures alone, as chances are you will end up with the same regression again. I hope you found this information helpful. Thank you for your question.

Do I need surgery to fix failed otoplasty or will time heal?

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Do I need surgery to fix failed otoplasty or will time heal?

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