What Is Ear Surgery?

Ear surgery, also called otoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance of prominent or protruding ears. It is one of the few cosmetic surgery procedures that can be performed on children, as the human ear usually stops growing by five years. Children and adults with very open ears are often the target of ridicule from their peers, leading to depression and depression. Ear surgery can alleviate this problem by attaching the protruding ears to the area near the head. In fact, it is recommended that children with severe hearing loss perform otoplasty at an early age so that the problem can be resolved before any teasing begins. Young children are also more likely to recover faster than adults, making it an ideal time for surgery. Most ear surgery is performed without patients, although some doctors prefer to keep the children up all night for extra care. The surgery itself is usually one to two hours long, depending on the complexity of the procedure. General anesthesia is recommended for young children. Older children and adults will usually undergo otoplasty with local anesthetics so that they become numb to the ear and surrounding tissues. Cut two to three inches in length is done in the natural position behind the ear to hide the hole from being seen. This produces an underlying cartilage, a soft tissue that gives the ear its unique shape. Depending on the degree of protrusion, the surgeon will cut the cartilage and bend it to its original position or remove excess cartilage to achieve the desired results. Cartilage is protected by using permanent sutures to keep it from returning to its natural state. Once the cartilage is secured, the incision is closed and relocated. After surgery, patients wear a thick, sturdy cloth to cover their ears and protect their ears. After a few days, a lighter bandage can be used. Patients with ear surgery may find that they experience a slight to moderate discomfort during the first few days of the healing process, but this pain can be easily controlled with over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or by pain-prescribed medication. Recovering patients may find it difficult to fall asleep early, as many people put their heads in their ears while they sleep. A soft pillow can help relieve some of this discomfort. Sutures were removed about one week after the procedure, assuming the surgeon did not use soluble sutures. Complications from ear surgery are rare, but like any otoplasty surgery is completely harmless. Your surgeon will discuss with you the possible side effects of the procedure with you before your surgery day so that you know what to give the specialist after the operation, so you have realistic expectations of the procedure. Complications may include nerve damage resulting in temporary hearing loss, scarring, infection, localized reaction to applied radiation, or ear asymmetry. People who want to learn more about ear surgery and how it can improve their appearance should make time to consult a plastic surgeon with a solid track record of successful otoplasty.