14. How do you treat a hematoma of the ear?  What are the long-term complications of these hematomas?

Answer:
A large hematoma of the ear should be drained with a large-bore needle or small stab incision and several minutes of pressure should be applied to achieve hemostasis and remove any remaining blood.  A pressure dressing should then be applied with follow-up in case repeat draining is necessary.  If an undrained hematoma is subperichondrial, the new cartilage formation below the elevated perichondrium can result in permanent ear deformity ("cauliflower ear").

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