Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Ear consists of a well formed cartillage and a thin skin cover. The deformations of the cartillage is responsible for the cosmetic ear problems, angulation problems or excess amount. It can be in one or two sides. The operation is planned according to the problem, the age and expectations. Ears are almost fully grown by age four-five. Having the surgery before the school age, the child will have to endure less teasing and ridicule. Its always better to do the operation when child is aware of the problem and wants the change. Ear surgery on adult is also possible, and there is generally no additional risk associated with ear surgery on an older patient.
In the initial consultation, surgeon will evaluate the condition, and recommend the most effective technique. You will be given specific instructions on how to get prepared for surgery. If the patient is a little child, general anesthesia will be better, so the child will sleep through the operation. For older children or adults, the surgeon may prefer to use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed.
Ear surgery usually takes about one or two hours, complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem. With a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage, the cartilage will be sculpted, excess will be removed, and bent back toward the head. Non-removable stitches will be used inside to help maintain the new shape. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance. Incisions will be closed with stitches, dressings and a bandage will be applied at the end.
If the operation is done under local anesthesia, the patient will be able to go home right after, if it was general anesthesia adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery, although you may prefer to stay overnight in the hospital with a child until all the effects of general anesthesia wear off.
There may be a slight pain or aching with the ears for a few days, but this can be relieved by pain medication. Seven days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s directions for wearing this dressing, especially at night. Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about 2 weeks.
Activities in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a couple ofmonths. Most adults can go back to work about a couple of days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they’re careful about playground activity.
Like all operations, ear surgery carries some risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure. When ear surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Main problem is the stitches used inside holding the cartillage close to the head may be torn after the operation resulting in partial opening of the ears. This can be treated with re-stitching a while after. A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle. Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected area.
Other Ear Problems: Besides protruding ears, there are different types of other ear problems that can be corrected with surgery. These are: lop ear (when the tip seems to fold down and 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). With these aesthetic operations; large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles can be helped. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury.
Please 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. If you’ve discussed the procedure and your expectations with the surgeon before the operation, chances are, you’ll be quite pleased with the result.
