What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty — also known as cosmetic ear surgery — is a surgical procedure to change the shape, position or size of the ears.
Otoplasty creates a more natural shape while bringing balance and proportion 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 Otoplasty treat?
• Overly large ears – a condition called macrotia
• Misshapen ears caused by injury
• A defect in the ear structure that is present at birth
• Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees – not associated with hearing loss
• Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery
Otoplasty Process
Like all the surgeries, the procedure begins with the Anesthesia, your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you wether is general or local anesthesia depending on your case.
Otoplasty techniques vary based on what kind of correction is needed. The specific technique your plastic surgeon chooses will determine the location of the Incisions and the resulting scars:
On the backs of your ears OR within the inner creases of your ears
After making incisions, your doctor might remove excess cartilage and skin. He will then fold the cartilage into the proper position and secure it with internal stitches. Additional stitches will be used to close the incisions.
After otoplasty, your ears will be covered in bandages for protection and support.
You'll likely feel some discomfort and itching. Take pain medication as recommended by your doctor. If you take pain medication and your discomfort increases, contact your doctor immediately.
Can everyone have an Otoplasty?
If a child is born with prominent ears and certain other ear-shape problems, splinting may successfully correct these issues if started immediately after birth.
You might choose to have otoplasty if you're bothered by how far your ears stick out from your head. You might also consider otoplasty if your ear or ears are misshapen due to an injury or birth defect.
Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:
• Healthy, without a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
• Generally 5 years old, or when a child's ear cartilage is stable enough for correction
Teenagers and adults who are good candidates for ear 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 to try to fit any sort of ideal image.
Instructions for better Otoplasty
The following instructions are general information to be followed before and after an Otoplasty procedure:
Pre-Operation:
·One week before surgery, avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding.
·Stop smoking before surgery and during recovery.
·Plan for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for the first night of your recovery
·Ask your doctor when it’s OK to resume daily activities, such as bathing and physical activity.
Post-Operation:
·Talk to your doctor about when — or if — your stitches will be removed. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Others must be removed in the doctor’s office in the weeks after the procedure.
·To keep pressure off your ears, avoid sleeping on your side. Also try not to rub or place excessive force on the incisions. Consider wearing button-down shirts or shirts with loosefitting collars.
·A few days after otoplasty, your doctor will remove your bandages. Your ears will likely be swollen and red. You’ll need to wear a loose headband that covers your ears at night for two to six weeks. This will help keep you from pulling your ears forward when rolling over in bed.
·After surgery, be sure to drink enough water to prevent dehydration. After arriving home from the surgery center, avoid heavy solid foods the rest of the day.
·Do not do anything to elevate your blood pressure for at least a week. This will cause bleeding in the area which may result in a hematoma.
·Do not resume taking any aspirin, ibuprofen, or Alleve until 5 days after the surgery.
·Take your antibiotics until the bottle is gone, and take your pain medication as needed. Each person experiences pain differently, but most patients experience the most pain the first day following surgery
·The postoperative dressing consists of a complete head dressing that will be removed a week later, and it is important to keep this dry.
·A headband or hat which covers the ears will need to be worn for an additional two weeks. It is especially important to wear this at night. This protects the ears from inadvertent forces that can pull or move the ear and potentially break the stitches that keep it folded.
·It is normal to have swelling and bruising of the ear. Please do not ice the wound or area near the wound unless given clearance by your doctor. It will take about a month before all the swelling is gone.
·The stitches that are used for the back of the ear are usually absorbable and fall out after 7 days or so.
·A shower or bath may be taken to wash your body, but keep the dressing dry. Once the dressing is removed the ears can get wet in the shower.
·Call your doctor if there are recent signs of redness, swelling of the ear. Also call if there is a sudden increase in pain of one of the ears.
Average Length of Stay 5 Days
Length of Stay in Hospital1 Day
Operation Duration2-4 Hours
Anesthesia General or Local Anesthesia
Recovery Duration 7 Days
FAQs
After making incisions, your doctor might remove excess cartilage and skin. He or she will then fold the cartilage into the proper position and secure it with internal stitches. Additional stitches will be used to close the incisions. The procedure typically takes about two hours.
There will be a mild to moderate amount of pain and discomfort associated with the surgery. This should be easily controlled with oral medications.
Yes, results are permanent. Rarely, revisions may be needed, but they are done under local anesthesia, and are minor.
You should rest with your head elevated in a recliner or with at least 2 pillows for at least the first week after surgery. Try not to sleep on the side of your face but rather sleep with the back of your head on the pillow for about two weeks.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, performing otoplasty in children who are at least 5 years old generally increases the rate of success for a great result. This is for a number of reasons: The cartilage in their ear is firm enough to withstand surgery.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure and extreme temperatures for about a month or two. Your ears will be numb for a few weeks. As a result, they may not feel any damage that could be caused by extreme temperatures.
Otoplasty may “pin back,” reshape or reduce the size of your ears to make them more symmetrical and proportional to your face.
Your ears will be bandaged. Most people need 1-2 weeks to recover from otoplasty. You need to avoid activities during recovery that may interfere with your healing ears, including Wearing headphones
Some swelling and bruising may last 10-14 days. Swelling will vary patient-to-patient. Swelling may actually increase the first three to four days before subsiding. Most of your swelling should resolve over the first two to three weeks.
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Adam Brown
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