Term of the Month: Dog Ears

During your follow-up appointments after plastic surgery, you may hear your surgeon mention the term “dog ears.” Although the name may sound unusual, it refers to a common and harmless part of the healing process (so not to real dog ears 🐶)

What are dog ears?

A dog ear is a small fold or excess piece of skin that may develop at the end of a surgical scar. The shape resembles the folded ear of a dog, which is where the name comes from.

Dog ears may occur after procedures such as:

• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
• Breast reduction or breast lift
• Body contouring after weight loss
• Other procedures involving the removal of excess skin

Why do dog ears occur?

When a surgical wound is closed, the skin is carefully brought together. Depending on skin elasticity, the amount of tissue removed and the shape of the surgical area, a small skin fold may remain at the end of the incision.

This does not mean that the surgery was performed incorrectly. Dog ears are a well-known phenomenon that can occur even after technically perfect surgery.

Do dog ears disappear on their own?

Often, yes.

As swelling decreases and the tissues settle over the following months, small dog ears frequently become less noticeable or disappear completely.

For this reason, surgeons usually wait until healing is complete before considering any correction.

When is a revision necessary?

If the excess skin remains visible after several months or causes discomfort, a minor revision procedure may be recommended.

This is typically performed under local anaesthesia and involves removing the small excess of skin to create a smoother scar.

Can dog ears be prevented?

Plastic surgeons carefully plan their incisions and closure techniques to minimise the risk. However, dog ears cannot always be avoided.

Factors such as skin quality, body shape, wound healing and the extent of the procedure all influence whether they develop.

Nothing to worry about

Dog ears are a common part of the healing process for some patients. They do not indicate that the surgery has failed and are usually not a medical concern.

If you have questions about your scar or your healing process, discuss them with your plastic surgeon during your follow-up consultation.