What is the most effective way to treat an auricular hematoma?
Auricular hematomas are treated by either needle aspiration or incision and drainage. Both techniques should be performed under sterile conditions after adequate analgesia with either a regional auricular block or local infiltration.
What happens if you don’t drain an auricular hematoma?
If left untreated, the cartilage of the outer ear no longer gets the blood flow it needs, which leads to cartilage death (necrosis). If this happens to you or someone you know it’s important that you seek treatment right away so that the ear can be properly drained and to prevent blood from collecting inside the ear.
How do you fix a hematoma in your ear?
Needle aspiration: A simple and relatively inexpensive treatment that involves the insertion of a thin needle into the hematoma to drain the fluid. A steroid may be injected into the ear to reduce inflammation, swelling, and itchiness, along with medicine to combat any infection.
How long does auricular hematoma take to heal?
When Should Your Patient Follow Up? Recommend your patient to follow up in 24-48 hours to evaluate for hematoma reaccumulation. Typically the compression dressing must stay until ear is fully healed, which can be anywhere from 7-10 days or more.
Can you drain an ear hematoma?
It is important to recognize and drain auricular hematomas since persistent hematomas can induce cartilage destruction with subsequent deformity of the ear. Treatment involves drainage and evacuation of the hematoma.
When does a hematoma need to be drained?
Sometimes, a hematoma may require surgical drainage. Surgery may be more likely if the blood is putting pressure on the spinal cord, brain, or other organs. In other cases, doctors may want to drain a hematoma that is at risk of infection.
When should a hematoma be drained?
Subungual hematoma drainage is indicated whenever it implies pain or concerns more than 50% of the nail, or more than 25% with an associated fracture (1).
What causes auricular hematoma?
Physical trauma is the most common cause of auricular hematoma. Repeated injuries to the ear are the most common reasons for the formation of ear hematoma. Injuries to the auricle are common because of its exposed position and lack of protection from the surrounding structures.