Otoplasty or ear cosmetic surgery, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Normally the ears makes an angle of about 34 degrees with the head. When this angle is wider or near to 90 degrees, the ear seems to look larger from the front view. This is called protruding ear. This situation is corrected by an ear cosmetic operation. 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.
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. My principle is to ask the child if he or she is willing for the operation. If the answer is no, I want to postpone the operation. Over the age of 4 the operation can be done at any age.
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, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed.
Ear surgery usually takes about one to two hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.
With one of the more common techniques, I make a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. Then I sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head. I use non-removable stitches to help maintain the new shape.
Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery. 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. Stitches will dissolve, in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery.
