Ear surgery (Otoplasty)

Otoplasty is one of the most common procedures for children. The majority of patients who undergo otoplasty are between the ages of four and fourteen.

Otoplasty can correct protruding ears (excessive ear cartilage), large or otherwise deformed earlobes, lop ear (ear tip bends down or forward) and cupped or shell ear (which could be a very tiny ear or an ear without natural creases).

The best time for otoplasty is in the childhood.  By the age of four a child's ear is almost fully developed, but the cartilage is still extremely pliable, making it easier to shape. Having the surgery done is also advisable since the child will experience psychological benefits earlier from the cosmetic improvement. Adults have firmer cartilage that is more difficult to shape.

The surgery

Otoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia for young patients and local anaesthetic combined with a mild sedative for older children and adults. With general anaesthesia the child may need to be hospitalised for a night, otherwise patients return home within hours after the surgery. Under normal conditions, time in surgery is about an hour.

The general anatomy of the ears, the extent of the ear cartilage, excessive skin in the surrounding area, or level of deformity in other areas of the ears are the factors that the surgeon considers when choosing the technique.

There are two common otoplasty techniques:

• The surgeon makes an incision, sculpts the exposed ear cartilage, and re-positions it closer to the head to achieve a more natural-looking appearance. The surgeon may use non-removable stitches to help the cartilage maintain its position. In some cases, the surgeon will remove more excessive cartilage in order to enhance the ultimate appearance of the ear.
• An other common technique is performed without removing cartilage. The skin is removed and the ear cartilage is folded back. the surgeon uses non-removable stitches to keep the cartilage in the correct position. Dissolvable or removable stitches are used for the incision location, which are removed or dissolve within seven days.

The total reconstruction of the ear is also possible. Ears that are malformed due to trauma (including burns) may undergo a variation of the reconstruction process.

After Surgery

It is very important to maintain the new position of the ears, so after the procedure the head is wrapped in a thick bandage. The recovery is usually very fast, and the results are visible soon. Children require special attention after the surgery for a few weeks to restrict them from activities that may disrupt the ears. Adult patients usually return to normal activity within three days after surgery. In all cases, the ears should not be bent for at least a month or more.

Complications and risks

Complications are possible with otoplasty just as with any other surgeries, but they are rare. Infection, blood cloth, scar tissue formation my occur. During recovery patients may experience numbness, headaches and swelling.

You can avoid most complications by choosing the right cosmetic surgeon and following pre- and postoperative instructions.

Pre-op requirements:

None

Time of stay:

10 days