Ear surgery or otoplasty is normally performed in order to set back prominent ears closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. The procedure is normally done on children between the ages of four to14; however, ears surgery on adults is also possible.

Since ears are almost fully grown by age four, by doing this procedure earlier, the less teasing and ridicule your child will face while growing up. It is important that as a parent you stay alert to your child's feelings about protruding ears. Do not force you children into something they may not be ready for since children who want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.

In addition to protruding ears, ear surgery can help with other ear problems including:

- lop ear, when the tip seems to fold down and forward
- cupped ear, when the ear is very small
- shell ear, when the curve in the outer rim and the natural folds of the ear are missing
- lobes with large creases and wrinkles
- ear reconstruction for those who were born without ears or who lost them through injury

Ear surgeries are a common procedure, and when performed by a qualified surgeon, carry little risk. However, as with all surgeries a small chance exists that some complications will arise. Most of the complications that arise are normally quite minor and can be dealt with medically quite easily. A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot in the ear that can drain on its own naturally or drained by a needle. Another possible complication is the presence of an infection that will have to be treated by antibiotics or by drainage.

Planning and preparing for ear surgery

During your initial consultation with the surgeon, your doctor will recommend the most effective technique for you or your child after a thorough medical evaluation. He or she will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for the procedure.

Ear Surgery

The procedure normally takes place in a hospital or a doctor's office and depending on the patient's age a general anesthetic (your child will sleep through the operation) or a local anesthetic combined with a sedative, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed. Typically, general anesthetics are used for younger children whereas as older children and adults are treated with local anesthetics.

The surgery itself will take about two to three hours depending on how complicated the problem is and the age of the patient. The surgeon will make a small incision in the back of the ear in order to expose the cartilage beneath the surface of the skin. Then, the doctor will sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head or remove a piece of cartilage, with non-removable stitches used to help maintain the new shape. In most cases, a faint scar in the back of the ear will be all that is left as evidence of this procedure.

Returning to normal activities

Unless you or your child was under a local anesthetic during the procedure, you should be up and about just a few hours after your procedure. The patient's head will be wrapped in bandage in order to best maintain the new sculpted shape of the ears and to promote quick healing. Some people may experience some pain or throbbing in the ears but that is easily treated with routine medications.

After a few days any bulky bandages will be removed completely or replaced with a lighter dressing similar to a headband. Any stitches will be removed or dissolve on their own within a week following the procedure.

Since children can be very active, it is very important that you as a parent prevent them from doing any activities that might cause the ear to bend. Children can go back to school after a week or so but you want to ask your child's teacher to make sure that your child is careful about playground activity etc. Adults can go back to work about five days after the procedure.

The new look

Although some imperfection may remain after procedure, most patients are thrilled with the more natural looking ears of ear surgery. Your child can lead a more normal school life and childhood void of any ridiculing and adults can be more satisfied with a more natural look

   


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