Dog Ears After Mastectomy Reconstruction: Why They Happen and the Fix
A lot of women's clothing is thin enough that even with a bra underneath a shirt, you can still sometimes see those dog ears. So I think it's worth chasing it to get a smoother contour.
Dog Ears After a Mastectomy
Dog ears are the little pooches of skin that can stick up at the ends of an incision (here's the general explanation). After mastectomy reconstruction, they're a bit more of a complicated problem, and a more complicated fix.
Why They Happen After Mastectomy
Usually, when patients have dog ears after mastectomy reconstruction, it's because the nipple-areola complex was removed. The incision then sits in the middle of the curved part of the breast, shaped like an ellipse, so you end up with a flat portion in the middle and dog ears at the ends.
Sometimes you can get a dog-ear appearance even when the nipple isn't removed. And it really doesn't matter whether you have a flap or an implant-based reconstruction: you can develop this problem with either.
They Often Improve With Time
Whether you have a tissue expander or a direct-to-implant reconstruction, which is what I usually do, the area should stretch with time and hopefully make the dog ears less prominent.
But it's something we really fight with when the incision is on the front of the breast.
The Incision I Prefer
I don't prefer my breast surgeons use an incision on the front of the breast. I like an incision under the breast, like a breast augmentation incision. That's what we do routinely in my geographic area, and it prevents this problem.
If you're still planning your mastectomy, the incision is worth asking your breast surgeon about.
How a Persistent Dog Ear Is Fixed
If you've waited a decent amount of time, the tissue hasn't stretched, and you still have those dog ears, the fix is what we call "chasing the dog ear."
That means making the incision longer and following it out around the curve of the breast, so it lies flatter and doesn't stick up.
A lot of women's clothing is thin enough that even with a bra underneath a shirt, you can still sometimes see those dog ears.
So I think it's worth chasing it to get a smoother contour. It's one of the common reasons for a reconstruction revision.
The Bottom Line
Dog ears after mastectomy reconstruction usually come from an incision across the front of the breast, often where the nipple was removed. Give them time to stretch out first. If they don't, extending the incision around the curve of the breast lets the skin lie flat. More on dog ears after a breast reduction and breast reconstruction.
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Schedule Your ConsultationTransform Your Life
Every person deserves to feel comfortable and confident in their own body. Our procedures aren't just about physical change. They're about reclaiming your life, your comfort, and your self-assurance.
Dr. Killeen and her team support you every step of the way, from your first consultation through recovery.
Take the first step toward the life you deserve.
Schedule Your ConsultationRelated Articles
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