How is a dog ear revision performed?

You are correct...most dog ears require a slight extension of the original incision.  They can usually be reduced a lot, and there is also the chance of raising or lowering the ends of the incision if you like.

Dog-ears are excess skin and fat at the edge of the incision. Many dog-ears resolve on their own, however, if the dog-ear has not disappeared it may be a minimal to surgical incision. If the dog-ear is quite “large” you may require general anesthesia. So if a dog-ear is large or in a complex area. If the dog-ear is small it may require just a small in office procedure. The area is usually locally anesthetist and the area is made sterile then using a scalpel or curved scissors the excess dog is tented upward. A triangular area of skin and fat is excised on each side of the dog-ear. Then layers of suture are places to re-approximate the skin. Typically dog-ears should heal in 10-14 days depending on the size of the dog-ear a drain may need to be inserted.

Hello, revision of the dog ear can be done in the office setting using local numbing medication. Unfortunately, to treat the dog ear, it usually involves lengthening the incision in some manner. The incision does not have to be extended in a strait direction...it can often be curved or routed in a different direction...but it most likely will be longer.  Sorry.

Thanks for your inquiry.  Dog ear revisions are commonly performed as a relatively quick outpatient operation, with local anaesthetic.  The skin and some of the underlying fat is cut away so it no longer puckers away from the surface of your skin like a cone.  The incision is often extended in the same direction as your original scar, but it doesn't have to be.  Your plastic surgeon will take into account several factors when deciding how to orient the scar, including the most cosmetic result, avoiding crossing joint creases, etc.

Traditionally dog ears are treated by extending the incision. Occasionally, liposuction alone can be useful. Unfortunately, these are the best options.  

Dog ears, or standing cone deformities, can occur after any surgery and involve an excess of skin and/or fat.  They usually respond to a small lengthening of the incision to excise skin and fat.  Sometimes, if your skin has good elasticity, they can be treated with just liposuction (this requires the judgement of your plastic surgeon).  Either way, both can be performed with some numbing medicine in the office without general anesthesia.

Usually in a dog ear revision there is extra tissue at the end of an incision. The way it is usually treated is that the area is numbed, and then skin or sometimes skin and the fatty tissue below it is removed, which does involve extending the incision a bit, (how much depends on the amount of excess) and then the area is closed with sutures. Butterfly strips or a bandage are placed, and usually recovery is straight forward, and you are back to regular activity very quickly. I hope that was helpful.

Thank you for the question but it is difficult to give you good information/advice without viewing photographs or in person examination. In other words, exactly what type of revision will achieve your goals will depend on your physical examination and a careful communication of your goals. Having said that, generally speaking, revision of a dog ear area involves excision of additional skin/tissue. This usually does involve extending the existing incision. Communicate your goals/concerns directly with your plastic surgeon who will be the best position to provide you with more specific information.  You may find the attached link helpful to you also. Best wishes for an outcome that you will be very pleased with.

dog ears can be present after different types of surgery. in the arm area it would be ideal not to extend the incision any closer to the elbow. this dog ear could be improved with additional incisions in the upper arm and tissue rearrangement with possible additional liposuction. this could be done under local anesthesia.

Thanks for the question concerning dog ears.  in my experience the location of the dog ear may be as varied as the type of skin surgery may be, but the basic concept for the treatment will usually  involve changing the length of a scar, or changing the direction of the  additional creation of a scar.  What this may mean to you has to be based on the location of the existing scar to be treated.  A  current photo would help greatly in helping your local Plastic Surgeon  make some decisions about this for you.Good luck to you.Frank Rieger M.D.  Tampa Plastic Surgeon