dog ear
Pronunciation: DOG ear
Excess skin that bunches at the end of a surgical incision, creating a cone-shaped protrusion.
Full Definition
A dog ear is a common cosmetic surgery complication characterized by excess skin that gathers at the end of an incision, creating a triangular or cone-shaped protrusion that resembles a dog's ear when folded. This typically occurs when the length of an elliptical excision is insufficient relative to its width, or when there is a difference in skin tension across the closure. Dog ears most commonly develop following procedures such as abdominoplasty, body lifts, and excisional surgeries. Treatment involves surgical revision with extension of the incision and removal of the excess tissue, or in some cases, conservative management if the condition is minor and may resolve with time.
Usage
Usage note: Use quotation marks when first introducing the term in formal documentation.
In Context
- "Small dog ears were noted at both ends of the abdominoplasty incision and were revised intraoperatively." — Operative note
- "The patient returned for minor revision of a persistent dog ear that had not resolved after 6 months." — Revision surgery note