Ear Surgery For Correction of Protruding Ear
Otoplasty in children with protruding ears, with the nicknames like “Dumbo” or “Mickey Mouse,” can improve their self-esteem and adaptation to school. This surgery can be performed at any age after the ears have reached full size, usually around five to six years of age. Even if the ears are only mildly distorted, the condition can lead to significant decrease in self-esteem. Adults can also benefit from this procedure. Frequently adults with protruding ears known as lop ear, grow tired of limiting their hair styles to cover their ears. In this procedure, not only it is possible to set the ears back, but ears can also be reshaped and made more symmetrical. Thus, the major goal in Otoplasty is to make the ears in proportion to the size and shape of the face and head.
During the first visit, I will thoroughly examine the structure of your ears. Then I will take photographs and will explain the probable outcomes of your surgery in detail. For young patients, I prefer general anesthesia in children and for adults I recommend local anesthesia with mild sedation. The operation may only be needed for one ear or for both ears, which can be performed at the same time. If the surgery is done on both ears, it requires approximately two hours depending on the nature of pathology. During the operation, I put the incision just behind your ear, in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head. Then depending on your pathology, I will reshape your ear cartilage to achieve the maximum effect.
Some hours after the surgery, you can go home in a very good condition. Normally, you will not experience any pain. I will apply soft dressing to your ears for a few days. Headbands are sometimes recommended to hold the ears in the desired position for few weeks after the surgery. It is very important to know that although Otoplasty will change the shape of your ears and its relation to your face and head, but it will not alter your hearing ability; therefore after the surgery, you are able to hear just as good as prior to your surgery.
