If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery. Otoplasty– also known as ear surgery – can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear. It can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth as well as misshapen ears caused by injury.
Ear surgery creates a natural shape by bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and selfesteem.
Ear surgery can treat:
• Overly large ears – a rare condition called macrotia
• Protruding ears occurringin varying degrees on one or both sides
• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
• Generally 5 years old or have ear cartilage that is stable enough for correction
• Cooperative and follow instructions well
• Able to communicate their feelings and do not voice objections when surgery is discussed
• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals for ear surgery
Your plastic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Depending on the type of surgery, your procedure may be performed in your plastic surgeon’s accredited office-based surgical facility, a licensed ambulatory surgical center or hospital. Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon questions.
It’s very important to understand all aspects of your ear surgery. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Correction of protruding ears uses surgical techniques to create or improve the antihelical fold (just inside the rim of the ear) and to reduce enlarged conchal cartilage (the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear). Incisions for otoplasty are generally made on the back surface of the ear. When incisions are necessary on the front of the ear, they are made within its folds to hide them. Internal, non-removable sutures are used to create and secure the newly shaped cartilage in place.
External stitches close the incision. Techniques are individualized and care is taken to avoid distorting other structures and to avoid an unnatural “pinned back” appearance.
Once the dressings are removed, ear surgery offers near immediate results in cases of protruding ears. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well-hidden in the natural creases of the ear.
• Anesthesia risks
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Change in skin sensation
• Asymmetry
• Persistent pain
• Unfavorable scarring
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.
Dressings will be used to support the new shape of the ear during initialhealing phases. Once these are removed, the results of your ear surgery are immediately visible. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well-hidden in the natural creases of the ear.
Discomfort immediately following ear surgery is normal and can be controlled with pain medication. There may be an itchy feeling under bandages. It is essential that bandages remain intact and are not removed for any reason. Failure to do so may result in loss of some of the correction and may require a secondary surgery.
• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
• When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow up care?
The results of your ear surgery are immediately visible. Over time, postsurgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover from surgery. The final results of your surgery will appear over the next few months.
Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Following your physician’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery. It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself. It’s very important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.
Prices for ear surgery can vary. A surgeon’s cost may be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic location of the office. Many plastic surgeons offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
• Anesthesia fees
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Medical tests
• Prescriptions for medication
• Surgeon’s fee
Some health insurance plans cover otoplasty in children. In adults, it may be considered cosmetic surgery and not covered.