SUMMARY

The social implications of ear deformities for the developing child are well documented. Protruding ears are a frequent source of ridicule by peers and may contribute to various developmental abnormalities, including social phobias and outright behavioral disturbances. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem. The ear development is virtually completed by the age of five when I can undertake adequate measures. Correction ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, can improve the ear’s shape, position, or proportion. Otoplasty creates a more natural form while bringing balance and dimension to the ears and face.

 Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem. If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery.

What Can Ear Correction Surgery Do?

• Overly large ears – a condition called macrotia.
• Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees – not associated with hearing loss
• Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery

Who is a Good Candidate for Ear Correction Surgery?

Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

• Healthy, without a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
• Generally, five years old, or when a child’s ear cartilage is stable enough for correction
• Cooperative and follow instructions well
• Able to communicate their feelings and do not voice objections when surgery is discussed

Ear surgery often is recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. Correction of the ears before the child enters school helps eliminate potential psychological trauma from the teasing of classmates. Adults may also have their ears reshaped. There is no upper age limit for this surgery if you are in good health.

Teenagers and Adults Who are Good Candidates for Ear Correction Surgery are:

• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for ear surgery
• Nonsmokers

Ear surgery is a highly individualized procedure, and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or try to fit any ideal image.

What Should I Expect During a Consultation for Ear Correction Surgery?

The success and safety of your procedure depend very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked several questions about your health, desires, and lifestyle. During your ear surgery consultation, be prepared to discuss:

• Why do you want the procedure, your expectations, and desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
• Previous surgeries

Your Cosmetic Surgeon will also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Take photographs for your medical record
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of ear surgery and any risks or potential complications

It’s essential to understand all aspects of your ear surgery. It’s natural to be nervous about it, 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.

How Should I Prepare for Ear Correction Surgery?

In preparing for ear surgery, you may be asked to:

• Obtain lab testing or a medical evaluation
• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Special instructions you receive will cover:

• What to do on the day of surgery
• The use of anesthesia during your procedure
• Post-operative care and follow-up

Your Cosmetic surgeon will also discuss where your procedure will be performed.

Will I Need Help after Ear Correction Surgery?

If your ear surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for at least the first night following surgery.

What are the Risks of Ear Correction Surgery?

The decision to have cosmetic surgery is highly personal. You will have to weigh the potential benefits of achieving your goals with ear surgery risks and potential complications. Only you can make that decision for yourself. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo, the alternatives, and the most likely risks and potential complications.

Possible ear surgery risks include:

• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Blood clots
• Asymmetry
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Change in skin sensation
• Skin contour irregularities
• Skin discoloration/swelling
• Anesthesia risks
• Unfavorable scarring
• Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations, or injected agents
• Pain, which may persist
• Possibility of revisional surgery

I will thoroughly discuss these risks and others before your consent. It would be best to address all your questions directly with your cosmetic surgeon.

Where be Will Ear Correction Surgery Done?

Depending on the type of surgery you will undergo, your procedure may be performed in MSI office-based surgical facility, an ambulatory surgical facility, or a hospital. MSI staff will fully attend to your comfort and safety.

What are the Steps of an Ear Correction Surgery?

The technique that your plastic surgeon recommends will depend on the nature of the problem and many other factors, including your desires. Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from ear surgery. Your cosmetic surgeon will select the surgical technique they feel will obtain the best outcome for you.

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.

Step 2 – The incision

Correction of protruding ears uses surgical techniques to create or increase the anti-helical fold (just inside the rim of the ear) and to reduce enlarged concha cartilage (the most significant 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 create and secure the newly shaped cartilage in place.

Step 3 – Closing the incisions.

External stitches close the incision. Techniques are individualized, taking care not to distort other structures and avoid an unnatural “pinned back” appearance.

Step 4 – See the results.

Ear surgery offers near immediate results in cases of protruding ears, visible once the dressings that support the new shape of the ear during the initial phases of healing are removed. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well hidden within the natural creases of the ear.

What Should I Expect During Ear Correction Surgery Recovery?

• It is essential to realize that the time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
• For the first several days, you should maintain head elevation as much as possible. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications.
• Initially, pain is usually controlled with oral medication.
• Some patients find that mild swelling persists for many weeks.
• Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days.
• Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery.
• After surgery, I may instruct you to wear gauze dressing or bandage for a few days or up to several weeks to ensure that your ears heal in their new, corrected position. Failure to do so may result in some corrections and may require secondary surgery.
• Often a ski band to cover the ears is worn at night to prevent the ears from bending during sleep.
• Straining, bending, and you should avoid lifting during the early postoperative period.
• In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less. Most people return to work at 7- 10 days.

When Do You Go Home?

• After surgery, I will apply bandages or dressings to keep your surgical site clean, protect it from trauma, and support the new position of the ear during initial healing.
• You will be given specific instructions that may include how to take care of your ears following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon.
• Should any complications occur, notify your plastic surgeon, who will determine if any additional treatment is needed.

Be careful!

Following your physician’s instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is essential that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, sunlight, or tanning bed light, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself. It’s essential to follow your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

Remember

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee of complete satisfaction. It may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure, and another surgery may be necessary for some situations.