Wear head bandage after Otoplasty for 3 weeks, 24/7?

Question

Had a consult for ear pinning today, doctor told me that the bandage must be worn on the head for 3 weeks straight? he said 2 weeks at the minimum.. Does this sound right? Because almost everywhere I read online says 24/7 for a week, and then only during night.. Also, what happens if you roll over onto your side during your sleep? Is this very dangerous post op, and how can you really help this from happening? Thanks

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Typically for my otoplasty patients they have a surgical bandage for 3-4 days.  Then a hand band is worn for four weeks 23 hours a day.  The most common issue with otoplasty is relapse.  The head band helps reduce this outcome.

Waldemar Merck, MD · Answer

Whether a bandage must be worn after an otoplasty depends on the method of operation. With the traditional methods, it is usual to wear a bandage for one or 2 weeks. There are also surgeons who prescribe a bandage for 3 or 4 weeks.No bandage is necessary with the minimally invasive stitch method.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

I typically recommend wearing the elastic bandage full time for the first 5-7 days then, as you suggested, in the evening for the next couple of weeks. Rolling onto your ear at nighttime will cause you some discomfort but should not disrupt your sutures. The biggest issue is having the ear pulled on which can reverse the folding and shaping of the ears in the early post-surgery period. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

S. Randolph Waldman, MD · Answer

Wearing for a bandage for several weeks is very unusual.  I have done several hundred of these procedures over the past 30 years and have never had anyone wear a dressing for more than 3 days and that is only if we do the procedure on a Friday.  Most of our patients wear a dressing for one day and then a tennis band for another 6 or 7 days to protect the ears and then this same band for another 2-3 weeks at night when sleeping.  I believe that this is the method subscribed to by most of my colleagues

Wear head bandage after Otoplasty for 3 weeks, 24/7?

Answers (4)

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