Some people are not happy with the appearance of their ears in relation to their face, which an otoplasty can correct. The surgery aims to change the shape, size and proportion of the ears to produce the patient’s desired results.
The procedure can be performed on anyone whose ears have fully grown, which usually means from age five onwards.
People usually opt for otoplasty to either correct congenital disabilities and injuries or improve their appearance.
Preparation
The doctor will review your medical history and ask you questions about any medications you take, concerns you may have and any injuries you have suffered in the past.
Your doctor, along with a highly trained medical team, will perform a physical exam and take pictures of your ears for comparison purposes.
He or she will discuss your goals and inform you about the most realistic results and if you are a candidate for the surgery.
The surgeon will give you a comprehensive guide on what you can do to prepare, which will include but not limited to:
> The medications you should avoid before the surgery
> Alcohol and tobacco consumption
In some instances, the surgeon opts to carry out the operation using general anaesthesia. However, at times, he or she may prefer sedation and local anaesthetic.
The Surgery
Otoplasty usually takes around two hours. Then, depending on the case, the surgeon will determine to make the incision behind your ears or the inner creases of your ears.
He or she will remove the appropriate amount of skin and cartilage. The cartilage will then be folded into position and secured with internal stitches. The surgeon will finalise the operation with external stitches.
After Otoplasty
Following the surgery, your ears will be bandaged for protection.
You will likely experience some pain and discomfort. The doctor will prescribe you the appropriate pain medication to reduce your discomfort.
Our professional team will always answer your questions, and the surgeon will give you a detailed recovery plan.
It is generally advised to avoid strenuous activity and sleep facing up to avoid unnecessary pressure on the operated ears.
Surgeons usually use stitches that dissolve on their own, but this may change depending on the patient.
The dressing around your ears are removed six-seven days after the surgery, but this can vary.
Results
Changes are usually immediate and can be viewed when a healthcare professional removes the bandages. However, some may take a little longer.
Risks
There are some risks associated with otoplasty. Rarely, patients report asymmetry, varying skin sensation (typically temporary) and scarring around the incision sites. However, these risks are minimal and are usually associated with botched operations.
Also, there are the typical risks that any surgery carried out under anaesthesia have.
