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PRMA Plastic Surgery

What Does The Term “Dog Ears” Mean?

July 21, 2020

The term “Dog Ears” is commonly used in the medical field and among patients following breast reconstruction surgery. But what does the term mean? Dr. Nastala provides a detailed explanation in the video below:

What are “Dog Ears?”

“Dog Ears” is a term surgeons use routinely in plastic surgery almost every day. To someone not in the medical field, the term may be unfamiliar. During surgery, a wound is closed in a linear fashion (meaning the scar is like a line). But when skin or tissue is removed, it is in a circular or football shaped incision pattern. Closing a rounded shaped wound into a straight line can result in some puffiness at the ends of the incision. This is what is referred to as a “dog ear.”

Are “Doge Ears” permanent?

There are steps surgeons can take to reduce or eliminate the appearance of “dog ears.” The protruding skin and tissue can be removed after the original wound is healed. This procedure does increase the length of the incision and scar but reduces the bothersome pucker of skin and tissue.

For breast reconstruction patients, “dog ears” are typically address and reduced/removed during Stage 2 reconstruction (AKA Revision Surgery).

Author: Dr. Chet Nastala and Courtney Floyd

“Dog Ears” is a term surgeons use routinely in plastic surgery almost every day.

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What Does The Term “Dog Ears” Mean?

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