Authored by Leland Jaffe DPM, FACFAS – Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgeon
A “dog ear” is formed when the lengths of an incision are not equal, causing the skin to pucker. Often a “dog ear” can be avoided by placing your first stitch along the midpoint of your incision, and then continuing to bisect the incision sequentially. Despite these efforts, a “dog ear” deformity can still occur, and this post will help provide you with the knowledge and skills to be able to repair it.
Step 1
Make an oblique incision at the end of the incision angulated 45 degrees towards the side of the “dog ear”. This step will free the excess tissue at the end of the incision.
Step 2
Undermine the excess skin, lay it flat along the line of the incision, and excise the excess tissue. Often a triangular shape of skin will be excised during this step.
Step 3
Suture the remainder of the incision which should now lie flat.
Leland Jaffe DPM, FACFAS
Associate Professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Podiatric Foot and Ankle Surgeon
North Chicago, Illinois
