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Surgery of the Ear (Otoplasty)

Ear Surgery, or Otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent Ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large Ears. For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear Surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with Ear Surgery on an older patient.

Indications :

This operation is done to correct protruding ears. It is one of the few Cosmetic Operations performed on children. Although the operation is done on both men and women, it has great appeal for men because many of them wear their hair short and cannot conceal the Ear deformity.

Anesthesia :

If the patient is young, general Anesthesia is recommended, so the child will sleep through the operation. For older children or adults, the procedure can be carried out using local Anesthesia, combined with a sedative, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed.

Method of Surgery :

The method of surgery is to weaken the cartilage of the Ear so that it bends into its new shape. At the same time stitches are placed in the cartilage to hold the Ear in position until the new shape has formed. The incision is placed in the natural creases behind the Ear. The operation is done under either local Anesthetic (you are awake) or General Anesthetic (you are asleep). You can choose. Most of the time this is an outpatient operation and a stay in the hospital is not needed. Ear Surgery usually takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.

Common techniques use a small incision in the back of the Ear to expose the Ear cartilage. The cartilage is sculpted and bent back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, a larger piece of cartilage is removed to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.

Other techniques involve a similar incision in the back of the Ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the Ear without removing cartilage.

In most cases, Ear Surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the Ear that will fade with time. Even when only one Ear appears to protrude, surgery is sometimes performed on both Ears for a better balance.

Problems :

All operations have some risk. The risks of surgery are divided into two groups. First those that are seen in all operations and second those that are unique or special for this operation. In the first group, the main risks are swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, a scar and numbness or change in feeling. The main problems which are special for this operation are an abnormal reaction to the stitches and recurrence of the problem.

Other Ear problems :

Besides Protruding Ears, there are a variety of other problems that can be helped with surgery. These include: "Lop Ear", when the tip seems to fold down an forward; "Cupped Ear", which is usually a very small Ear, and "Shell Ear", when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched Ear Lobes, or Lobes with large creases and wrinkles. New Ears can even be built for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury. For Ear reconstruction, cartilage from the patient's other Ear, from the ribs or prosthetic material may be used, depending on the extent of the problem.

Postoperative care :

The recovery takes one to two weeks. Most people are back to work within a week or two. It takes many months before the final result is seen.

Your new Appearance :

Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of Ear Surgery. But keep in mind, the goal is improvement, not perfection. Don't expect both Ears to match perfectly. Perfect symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural in Ears. By discussing the procedure and your expectations before your operation, chances are, you will be quite pleased with the result.