If stitch removal was delayed after ear cartilage rhinoplasty — an answer on pain and recovery
2024. 3. 27.
An answer on whether it matters when some stitches are found and removed late after ear cartilage rhinoplasty, and why pain at the ear harvest site lingers. Individual differences in pain and the recovery course, organized.
Key points
- If you discovered remaining stitches late, check after removal whether the wound has opened or shows redness, discharge, or pain — the fact of delay alone can't settle safety.
- Pain at the ear cartilage harvest site varies greatly between individuals, so an exact end date can't be stated.
- Still, it tends to improve gradually over time — rather than growing impatient, watching over a longer period is best.
"I had rhinoplasty with ear cartilage, and I thought all the stitches were out — then found some remaining, late. Is that okay?"
This is Dr. Hyung-taek Kim of KOWON Plastic Surgery. This article organizes a question posted on a Q&A forum about stitch removal after ear cartilage rhinoplasty and the answer I gave. I hope it helps those wondering whether late stitch removal is a problem, and how long pain at the ear cartilage harvest site lasts.
01
What situation did this question come from?
The asker received treatment in the following order after rhinoplasty using ear cartilage.
- Why does the ear cartilage harvest site still hurt — it's been 4 months since surgery and I can't even wear earphones; how long will it hurt?
- When will this state improve?
- Is it okay that the stitches came out late?
| Date | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Oct 7 | Cotton packing removed |
| Oct 13 | Splint removed, some stitches on nose and ear removed |
| Oct 17 | All ear and nose stitches removed (the point they believed) |
| Nov 4 | While looking in the mirror, discovered stitches on the ear weren't fully removed |
| Nov 6 | Remaining ear stitches removal completed |
It was a situation where, having believed all stitches were out, they discovered remaining ear stitches themselves about 3 weeks later — and the questions were three.
02
How long does pain at the ear cartilage harvest site last?
Pain after ear cartilage rhinoplasty is an area where individual differences appear large. So it's hard to state an exact day — "it hurts until this date, and from that day it gets better."
Still, I can say it should gradually improve as time passes. Remaining pain at 4 months post-op can be worrying, but since individual differences exist in recovery, I recommend watching it over a bit more time. What gets checked at each post-op period can be seen in more detail in the rhinoplasty recovery guide.
03
Is it a problem that stitches were removed late?
If the wound is closing well with no abnormal signs after removing the late-found stitches, the course can be watched. But if redness, warmth, discharge, or pain develops, or the wound opens, it must be checked at the clinic that operated.
Like this asker, discovering stitches weren't fully removed can easily bring anxiety about whether something went wrong in recovery meanwhile. In reality, not having stitches fully removed must have caused quite some hardship — I understand that feeling fully. Still, the fact of late removal itself doesn't affect the outcome, so once the remaining stitches have been confirmed and removal completed, you simply watch the recovery course afterward.
04
Summary — watch the recovery course, not the late stitch removal
If remaining stitches were removed late after ear cartilage rhinoplasty, check the wound state and infection signs. Since the timing of harvest-site pain recovery varies greatly per person, if pain isn't decreasing or worsens, it must be checked at the clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
I discovered remaining stitches late after ear cartilage rhinoplasty — is that okay?
How long does the ear cartilage harvest site hurt?
Is it strange for the ear to still hurt 4 months after surgery?
Responses to treatment and recovery progress vary by individual. Outcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.