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Everything About Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)

Ears are more than important sensory organs, they are part of the face and shape personal expression to a considerable extent. The position of the ears – lying close to the head or protruding – as well as the size and shape of the auricles and earlobes play a special role. Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, aims at fixing those misshapen parts of the ear. Protruding ears, also common as a singular misalignment, indicate a genetically caused maldevelopment of the ear cartilage. Accidental injuries can also cause asymmetric deformities affecting one or both ears. Any form of misalignment or maldeveloped or deformed ear cartilage can be corrected through otoplasty surgery.

Why is Otoplasty Performed?

Aside from correcting an ear misalignment, reconstructive ear surgery can also correct the shape of the pinnae. Defective earlobes, for example, due to piercings or torn earring holes, can be treated and restored with minimally invasive earlobe reconstruction. The possibilities of ear surgery types now allow a large number of aesthetic interventions to correct the shape and “alignment” (big ear surgery) of the ear according to the patient’s wishes. Officially, one speaks of protruding ears when the angle between the auricle and the head is more than 30 degrees. The misalignment of the ears can usually be traced back to two causes:

  • Genetic malposition of the cartilage
  • Asymmetric deformations caused by accidents

Who Can Have Ear Surgery?

Since in most cases the auricle itself does not show any abnormalities, it is sufficient to have the protruding ears put on in order to achieve a coherent overall picture. If further deformations have to be corrected, selective treatments can be considered as ear surgery plasticOtoplasty can be performed on both children and adults to bring the quality of life and self-confidence to a new level. Although protruding ears usually do not entail any health complications, there are various further consequences: protruding ears unfortunately often lead to teasing in childhood or insecurities, or even psychological problems in adulthood. Results before and after otoplasty show how impactful the process is on the confidence of the individual. This is where aesthetic ear surgery otoplasty comes into play and can work magic with just a few simple steps.

Depending on the deformity, there might be an option of otoplasty incisionless or the ear cartilage can be reshaped via small incisions in order to create the auricle or adjust asymmetries. Scars are easy to hide on the back of the ear with this type of treatment. But the shape and size of the earlobes can also be changed and designed. Surgical interventions on the ears of children, on the other hand, are usually carried out under general anesthesia, on adults a local anesthetic or twilight sleep is usually sufficient. The procedure is an outpatient procedure and does not require an inpatient stay in the hospital. Recovery from otoplasty is very quick and easy.

About the Process

Depending on the operation and age, the ears can be created under either local or general anesthesia. Otoplasty surgery is usually an outpatient procedure and you can go home after just a few hours. As with any medical procedure, like lip augmentationfacelift, or filler, the decision to have an ear surgery should be carefully considered. Experienced otoplasty turkey specialists in aesthetic and plastic surgery take a lot of time before the procedure is carried out to discuss all the important points with you in detail. This takes place in a personal first meeting. Here you can clarify your questions, wishes, and requirements, for example, what you expect from the procedure and the final result, as well as accompanying medical issues such as allergies or illnesses. The exact procedure, the correct procedure for aftercare, and possible risks are also discussed in detail.

Big ear surgery is also very simple: the doctor removes excess cartilage mass through a fine incision behind the ear in order to correct the ears. Finally, the incision is closed with fine sutures. This stabilizes the new position of the ears without leaving any visible scars. The operation can be performed under local anesthetic (local anesthetic) or, if necessary or in children, under general anesthesia. After the local anesthetic, the treatment is completely painless. Hair around the ears does not need to be trimmed or shaved. At the beginning of the operation, an incision is made in the skin on the back of the ears, the cartilage is then placed in the correct position, cut out of it as much thinner as necessary, and finally, the cartilage is fixed in this newly modeled shape. The new shape of the ears is secured with internal seams and finished with a single sweeping stitch. The hidden cut heals with a fine scar. There are no traces of an operation on either the front or the back of the auricle. Otoplasty is therefore invisible, the duration of the procedure is about 90 minutes.

After the Ear Surgery

At the end of the operation, a bar is applied as a pressure bandage, which leaves the cranium free and can be hidden with hair. You can leave the clinic after about 30 minutes of rest. Light physical work is allowed, and strenuous activities and sports are to be avoided. Pain can occur after 3-4 hours of the anesthetic injection, which can be relieved with painkillers. The sutures are removed 6-9 days after the operation. After that, you can wash your hair, but avoid swimming, hairdressing, and hair coloring for 2-3 weeks. It is recommended to wear an ear cover while sleeping and exercising for 6 to 8 weeks after suture removal.

What are the Risks of Otoplasty?

Complications from ear surgery are very rare, but like all surgeries, this procedure can have risks. Possible early complications such as;

  • Bleeding,
  • Bruising,
  • Hematoma,
  • Inflammation,
  • Skin necrosis,
  • Cartilage necrosis, etc. can be treated easily if they are recognized early. Sensory disturbances, and numbness may also appear, and the auricle may be more sensitive or, on the contrary, insensitive. These symptoms pass in a week. Otoplasty does not affect hearing in any case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Otoplasty

Is otoplasty painful?

No. It is the least painful.

What is otoplasty surgery?

It is the aesthetic-surgical treatment of protruding ears or similar malpositions. Asymmetrically shaped auricles, large ears, and defective or deformed earlobes can also be the subject of an otoplasty.

Will ears relax after otoplasty?

They stay the shape they are given, not tighter or looser.

Is otoplasty worth it?

Ears are important elements of physical appearance, therefore, an otoplasty is worth it.

How to sleep after otoplasty?

It is recommended to wear a cover and not to sleep on them for a while.

Is otoplasty permanent?

Yes, it is.

Is otoplasty safe?

It is completely safe and a minimal procedure.

What is otoplasty procedure?

In the procedure, some cartilage is removed (thinning) in order to move the ear closer to the head and/or to be able to remodel the shape of the auricle. As soon as the desired size, shape, and inclination of the auricle is given, the ear is fixed with the help of threads.

Does otoplasty affect hearing?

No. Otoplasty is performed on the external part of the ears.

Should I get otoplasty?

If you are not happy with the shapes of your ears or have deformities caused by injuries, you should consider getting otoplasty.

What is the best age for otoplasty?

In principle, there are no age restrictions for an otoplasty. However, the procedure should not be carried out before the age of four, as the ears are not fully grown by then.

What you can expect from otoplasty?

You can expect few complications and safe, very natural-looking results, only slight pain for a maximum of 1 day. Then you have very early social ability (after 1 week at the latest) and scars that are practically invisible.

What causes prominent ears?

They are mostly hereditary, however, damages to the ears can also cause prominent ears.

What to expect during treatment?

During the operation, the skin of the ear is separated from the ear cartilage by a skin incision placed exactly in the fold at the edge of the ear (antihelical fold). It is very important here that the operating level is very precisely between the layers specified by the body. So nothing is damaged. The cartilage of the ear is then exposed, it can be thinned out with a tiny grinder and thus made more malleable. The ear fold (helix fold) is then formed with permanent; very fine, transparent and high-quality threads are put that can remain forever.

In the course of this new formation or completion of the ear folds, the ears flatten out in a completely natural way. The previously detached ear skin is returned to its original place like a blanket and sutured very finely inside the skin.

For detailed information about Prominent Ear Surgery you can contact with our consultants.

Last updated on: 19.02.2024 15:39
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