Exostoses of the external auditory canal (ear canal) are bony growths that form due the exposure to cold water and air. When they become advanced they can cause recurrent water trapping, ear infections and ultimately complete blockage and hearing loss.
When advanced surgery is indicated to widen the ear canal. One of the main factors is ensuring that the bone of the ear canal becomes covered with healthy skin. This means that during the healing phase packing and ointment is left occluding the ear canal to force the new skin to heal without forming a scar or stenosis.
The following photos are shown 3 weeks apart until complete re-epithelialisation occurs and thus the ear is waterproof and will drain any water automatically.
Right ear with tight exostoses
Right ear 3 weeks after surgery
Right ear 6 weeks after surgery: almost completely healed skin of the external auditory canal