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Ear
surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the
head or to reduce the size of large ears. For the most part, the operation is
done on children between the ages of four and fourteen. Ears are almost fully
grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule
the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there
are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older
patient. All
Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty And Risk 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 develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve
naturally or can be drawn out with a needle. Occasionally, patients develop an
infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections
are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain
the infected area. Planning
For Surgery 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. In
the initial meeting, your surgeon will evaluate your child's condition, or yours
if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective
technique. He will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for
surgery. Where
The Surgery Will Be Performed 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. Types
Of Anesthesia If
your child is young, your surgeon may recommend general anesthesia, so the child
will sleep through the operation. For older children or adults, the surgeon may
prefer to use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative, so you or your child
will be awake but relaxed. The
Surgery Ear
surgery takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take
longer. The technique will depend on the problem.
With
one of the more common techniques, the surgeon makes a small incision in the
back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He will then sculpt the cartilage
and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help
maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove a larger piece of
cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.
Another
technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed
and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear
without removing cartilage. In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar
in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears
to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.
Getting
Back To Adults
and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery, although
you may prefer to stay overnight in the hospital with a child until all the
effects of general anesthesia wear off. 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. Be sure to follow your surgeon's directions for wearing
this dressing, especially at night. Stitches are usually removed, or will
dissolve, in about a week. Any
activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so.
Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go
back to school after seven days or so, if they're careful about playground
activity. You may want to ask your child's teacher to keep an eye on the child
for a few weeks. Other
Ear Problems Besides
protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped
with surgery. These include: "lop ear," when the top seems to fold
down and forward; "cupped ear," which is usually a very small ear; and
"shell ear," when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural
folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched
earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons can even build new
ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury. Sometimes,
however, the correction can leave a scar that is worse than the original
problem. Ask your surgeon about the effectiveness of surgery for your specific
case. More
Natural-Looking Ears Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery. But keep in mind, the goal is improvement, not perfection. Don't expect both ears to match perfectly - perfect symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural in ears. If you've discussed the procedure and your expectations with the surgeon before the operation, chances are you'll be quite pleased with the result. © Copyright 2001, American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
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