Cosmetic Surgery of the Ear Otoplasty
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer
to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. For the most part, the
operation is done on children between over the age of four. Ears are almost
fully grown by age four.
When
ear surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications
are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any operation, there
are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated
with this procedure.
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.
Most surgeons recommend that parents stay alert to their child's feelings
about protruding ears; don't insist on the surgery until your child wants
the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the
surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with
the outcome.
Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in a hospital,
a doctor's office-based surgical facility, or a freestanding surgery center.
Occasionally, your doctor may recommend that the procedure be done as an
inpatient procedure, in which case you can plan on staying overnight in
the hospital. If the child is young, general anesthesia may be recommended,
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 two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer.
The technique will depend on the problem.
With
one of the more common techniques, the surgeon makes a small incision in
the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He or she will then sculpt
the cartilage and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may
be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove
a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when
the surgery is complete.
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.
The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following
surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache
a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication. Within
a few 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 will dissolve, in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month
or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children
can go back to school after seven days or so, if they're careful about playground
activity. You may want to ask your child's teacher to keep an eye on the
child for a few weeks.
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.
