Prominent Ear Surgery
Prominent Ear Surgery
The ears are one of the first parts of the body to reach adult size. When the ear projects excessively it can be regarded as prominent.
Around 2% of the population feel that their ears stick out too far. The problem is often inherited, and is caused by a lack of the usual cartilage folds in the ear.
Most cases of prominent ears become a problem in early childhood, often relating to teasing at school. Most surgeons advise that surgery for prominent ears is not undertaken until the child is old enough to understand what the surgery involves. At this stage the child is more likely to be cooperative and happy with the outcome. In addition one must consider that not all adults with prominent ears wish them to be corrected. Therefore if one operates on children prior to the acquisition of understanding a proportion will have been subjected to unnecessary surgery. For this reason, and because ear cartilage is often soft in the early years, operations for prominent ears are rarely performed on children under the age of five.
What is otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a method of eliminating the defects in the external ear structure seen in children and adults by aesthetic surgery.
What is prominent ear and what kind of problems does it cause?
Prominent ear is the most common ear deformity. It is mostly caused by the laxity of the cartilages in the ear region or insufficient ear folds. The ear which has a loose structure for these reasons bends forward or sideways, causing an unpleasant image. It is usually seen in both ears, but in rare cases only one ear may look like prominent ear. Prominent ear definitely requires intervention for any psychological problems it may cause and can be easily corrected with a simple operation by the courtesy of modern medicine’s facilities.
Prominent Ear Surgery in Children
Shaping of the auricle occurs while the infant is still in the womb; the auricle continues to develop until the age of 5-6 years and takes its final shape at this age.
The group that has suffers the most from ear deformities is the children. Nicknames such as “scoops” given to school-age children by their peers cause problems such as psychological problems, indifference to lessons, and being alienated from school. Therefore, the problem is solved by otoplasty in children with complete ear development.
Children from which age group can have surgery?
Preschool children should have prominent ear surgery before they have psychological problems, develop indifference to lessons and are alienated from school. Psychological adaptation is much easier in these operations performed at an early age.
What is the anatomical problem in prominent ear?
Prominent ear appearance is caused by three anatomical deformities:
- Underdeveloped ear fold
- Deep concha
- Protruding earlobe
The severity of each of these deformities can be different in every patient. Surgery is aimed at correcting these deformities.
How is prominent ear surgery performed?
Otoplasty is performed under local anesthesia in adult individuals, and under general anesthesia in children and patients who cannot undergo local anesthesia.
During the operation, an incision is made on the back of the ear, cartilage is thinned with a file and the incision is then sutured.
Since the sutures in the ear will remain in the back, they are unnoticeable when looked at from the front.
Before Prominent Ear Surgery
As in all operations, you’re advised to stop smoking and alcohol consumption at least one week before otoplasty. This is very important for a rapid healing process. In addition, avoid taking aspirin-like blood thinners before the operation. Apart from these, inform your doctor who will perform the surgery about any medications you take regularly.
After Prominent Ear Surgery
After cosmetic ear surgery, you’ll wear a not-too-tight hair band that entirely covers the ear and continuously wear it for about 3 weeks. This reduces the load on the stitches holding the cartilage, which wants to return to its original state. Cartilage hardens and heals in its new position. Another function of the hair band is to reduce edema in the first few days after prominent ear surgery and ensure that the swelling subsides quicker.
Loss of sensation in the ear may last for a few weeks, which is normal. In that period, avoid hair drying and blow drying.
Will there be any scar left after prominent ear surgery?
The incision of prominent ear surgery is concealed behind the auricle. Therefore, it’s unnoticeable even when head is looked at from the back.
Risks of Prominent Ear Surgery
The risk of developing an infection in cartilage tissue is very low, and the surgeon will take measures to further decrease that risk but in rare cases, this might happen.
Patients with prominent ears are satisfied with the result if the ear is close to the head as much as possible. But this gives the ears an unnatural appearance. For this reason, the ears should be approached to the head as much as is required. In the initial postoperative period, the ears may look a bit like that but as edema subsides, they acquire a more natural look.
Price of Prominent Ear Surgery
Surgery price varies depending on whether prominent ear problem is unilateral or bilateral, whether there are any additional problems, the presence of earlobe problem, and the type of anesthesia. Contact us for further information and price details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Prominent Ear Surgery a painful operation?
Prominent ear surgery usually does not cause any pain. Any pain you might have will be mild pains that can be resolved with painkillers.
Does prominent ear surgery have permanent results?
There might be some opening in the ears after surgery. This risk is lower in children. Patients who are operated on by appropriate methods and wear the hair band for adequate amount of time afterwards have minimum risk on this matter.
When can I resume normal activities after surgery?
Women resume normal activities after surgery, whereas this process is longer for men. Since it is normal for women to use a hair band as an accessory for their hair, they can resume normal activities immediately after surgery. However, since men do not have the habit of wearing a hair band, it may take a slightly longer time for men to resume normal activities than women.
Does otoplasty cause hearing problems?
This operation, which is performed for aesthetic purposes, has nothing to do with hearing functions so it is unlikely to cause any hearing problems.