What Does Otoplasty Treat?
Extremely large ears – a condition called macrotia
The appearance of protruding ears on one or both sides to varying degrees – not associated with hearing loss
Who Are The Candidates For Otoplasty?
Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:
In good health, without a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
The ability to express their feelings and not raise objections when discussing surgery
Helpful and follows instructions well
At 5 years of age, or when the child’s ear cartilage is stable enough for correction
Teens and adults who are good candidates for ear surgery are:
Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that could impair healing
Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals for ear surgery
Non-smokers
How Do I Prepare For Otoplasty?
You will speak to a plastic surgeon at Medillys Clinic about ear surgery. During your first visit, your plastic surgeon will likely:
Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions, especially any ear infections. Your doctor may also ask about any medications you’re taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you’ve had.
Do a physical examination. To determine treatment options, your doctor will examine your ears — including their position, size, shape, and symmetry. The doctor may also take pictures of your ears for your medical record.
Discuss your expectations. Your doctor is likely to ask you why you want otoplasty and what results you can expect after the procedure. Make sure you understand the risks of otoplasty, such as possible overcorrection.
What Happens During Otoplasty?
What happens during ear correction surgery depends on the type of surgery you’ll have.
Otoplasty can be performed on an older child or adult under local anesthesia by a plastic surgeon or an otolaryngologist.
They usually include:
Make a small incision behind the ear to expose the ear cartilage
Remove small pieces of cartilage if necessary
Stitches at the back of the ear to reshape it or place it closer to the head
Otoplasty usually takes one to two hours. If a local anesthetic was used, you will be able to go home the same day.
You may need a bandage around your head to help your ears heal in their new position and protect them from infection.
Otoplasty Risks
Otoplasty, as with any other type of major surgery, carries risks, including risk of bleeding, infection, and adverse reaction to anesthesia.
Other risks associated with otoplasty include:
Scarring While the scars are permanent, they are likely to be hidden behind your ears or within the creases of your ears.
Asymmetry in the position of the ear. This may occur as a result of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery may not correct pre-existing asymmetry.
Changes in skin sensation. During otoplasty, repositioning your ears can temporarily affect the sensation of the skin in the area. Changes are rarely permanent.
Allergic reaction It’s possible to have an allergic reaction to the surgical tape or other materials used during or after the procedure.
Stitch problems. The stitches used to secure the new shape of the ear may have made their way to the surface of the skin and need to be removed. This can cause infected dermatitis. As a result, you may need additional surgery.
Excessive correction. Otoplasty can create abnormal contours that make the ears appear to be pushed back