After otoplasty, will cauliflower ear recur as I continue to professionally fight?

Question: I am a professional fighter and developed what is called cauliflower ear.  If I have otoplasty to remove the “cauliflower” will it return as I continue to fight?

Answer: I recommended to my patients who are involved in mixed martial arts, fighting, boxing, or any other type of sport where there is a high likelihood of repeated trauma not to undergo any procedures to improve things while they are currently engaging in this sport.  The reason is once it is repaired they may go back to having more trauma and have this same problem recur.  I also give this same advice to my rhinoplasty patients who are involved in sports where there is a high likelihood of re-breaking their nose.  There’s no point in having rhinoplasty performed and then having the nose broken again.  Once they’ve ended this activity or their career has ended, then they can have their ears or nose or facial bones, whatever needs to be repaired, fixed without risk of having this work damaged.