Otoplasty or cosmetic ear surgery is usually performed to correct prominent ears. Missing folds are reshaped or big ears are reduced by means of cartilage removal and stitches.
This surgery is usually performed on children between four to ten years. The ears are considered to be almost fully developed by the age of four and the sooner the operation is performed, the lesser the problems that children will experience with the outside environment (especially being teased by their friends). This can cause problems, especially psychological problems.
Some people wait until adult years because this is not a health problem, but merely a cosmetic problem. Women especially may wait until later years because they can hide their ears behind their hair.
THE SURGERY:
Many surgical techniques have been described for otoplasty. The most appropriate method for you will be determined by your doctor depending on the problem in your ears. The general principle of the methods is to give the ear folds a more natural appearance with stitches and to rearrange the excess cartilage forming a protrusion on the ear. Surgical incisions are made behind the ears without leaving marks later on and the dissolving stitches disappear by themselves.
AFTER SURGERY:
Adults and children can get up and move around a few hours after the surgery and go home. The patient’s head is going to be wrapped at the end of the operation in order to facilitate the formation and wound healing. The mild pain in the ears can easily be alleviated with painkillers. The bandage will be removed the next day, fitting a head band in its place. The head band is worn continuously for 4 days. After that it is worn at night for one week to protect the ears. Because the stitches dissolve by themselves, there is no concern of removing stitches. Any activity where the ear might be bent should be avoided for about one and a half months. Children can attend school within a period of about seven days, but must be careful during activities.
Many surgical techniques have been described for otoplasty. The most appropriate method for you will be determined by your doctor depending on the problem in your ears. The general principle of the methods is to give the ear folds a more natural appearance with stitches and to rearrange the excess cartilage forming a protrusion on the ear. Surgical incisions are made behind the ears without leaving marks later on and the dissolving stitches disappear by themselves.
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