The three-bite technique: a novel method of dog ear correction

Area of Science:

• Surgical Techniques
• Wound Healing
• Plastic Surgery

Background:

• Dog ears are common complications of wound closure, resulting in excess tissue.
• Existing dog ear correction methods often lead to scar extension and damage to the dermal plexus.
• Understanding dog ear formation is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel, minimally invasive technique for immediate dog ear correction.
• To address the limitations of current dog ear correction methods.
• To preserve scar length and dermal blood supply during correction.

Main Methods:

• A novel three-bite suture technique was developed for dog ear correction.
• The technique involves sequential piercing of the deep fascial plane and dog ear margins.
• The suture anchors excess tissue to the deep plane for flattening.

Main Results:

• The three-bite suture technique effectively flattened dog ears.
• The method proved to be fast, easy, and versatile.
• No extension of the scar was required, and local skin blood supply was maintained.

Conclusions:

• The proposed three-bite suture technique offers an effective solution for immediate dog ear correction.
• This method avoids scar extension and preserves the dermal plexus.
• The technique is a valuable addition to surgical practice for optimizing wound closure outcomes.