Dog-ears: a review

Abstract

Background: The closure of any circular or asymmetric wound results in puckering or excess of tissue known as dog-ears.

Objective: Facility in managing dog-ears is an invaluable tool in cutaneous surgery due to its common presentation.

Methods: Methods for correcting dog-ears are extensively detailed in both the plastic and dermatologic surgery literature. This review provides a practical outline of nine methods of dog-ear correction along with pertinent schematic and clinical illustration.

Results: A comprehensive approach to dog-ears requires knowledge of tissue dynamics, adherence to proper surgical technique, and strategies for the management of dog-ears.

Conclusions: A thorough understanding of dog-ear formation and correction allows the surgeon to choose the most appropriate management for dog-ears in any clinical setting.