Cosmetic ear surgery
The so called “lop ears” or prominent ears may be the cause of psychological problems or emotional stress in many individuals, especially in children. The surgical procedure developed to correct this congenital defect is called Otoplasty, which enables the shape and contour of the ear to be corrected.
This operation can be done on patients over 7 years of age, when ear growth is almost complete. It is advisable that this surgical procedure be performed on a child early (during the first years of school) so that children are not exposed to teasing because of ear deformities.
Before the surgery
Just like in the case of any other plastic surgery, an in depth medical record of the patient is required, taking into account that this defect may result from genetic inheritance. The patient (and the parents) must be aware of and identify all the elements of the current ear deformity, and understand which elements will be corrected with the surgery.
Surgical procedure
This surgical procedure (Otoplasty) may be performed under local anesthesia and a sedative (neurolepto-anesthesia), for the patient to feel comfortable. There are numerous surgical procedures designed to bring the eras “closer to the head”. Incisions are made at the back of the ear (in a non visible area) in order to enable the surgeon to “model” the cartilage. The surgeon will have to adjust the technique to the severity of the deformity to be corrected, always bearing in mind that an optimum result is obtained when the patient has a natural appearance.
Postoperative recovery
The patient may experience some mild discomfort after the surgery that can be completely alleviated with common painkillers. The patient must keep a head dressing on the years for at least 48 or 72 hours, which can then be replaced by an elastic headband (like those used by tennis players) that must be wore for 10 more days. The result obtained is immediately visible after the surgery, once the bandage has been removed.
Ear reconstructive surgery
We cannot expand on this extensive chapter of Plastic Surgery, since it must be analyzed in each particular case. The congenital or acquired morphologic defect (whether as a result of traumatism, burns, or otherwise) may involve any (or all) of the three quarters of the auricle.
It is advisable that the ear be reconstructed from autogenous tissues (the patient’s own tissues), and cartilage may be taken (to construct the auricular skeleton) from contralateral ear cartilage (from the conchal "bowl") or the rib cartilage
These are surgical procedures involving different-part processes, and the cosmetic results obtained are really good. |
