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Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
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 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age
four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and
ridicule the child will have to endure. |
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Ear Surgery on
adults is also possible, and there are generally no
additional risks associated with Ear Surgery on an older
patient.
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Indications |
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This
operation is done to correct protruding ears. It is one of
the few Cosmetic Operations performed on children. Although
the operation is done on both men and women, it has great
appeal for men because many of them wear their hair short
and cannot conceal the Ear deformity.
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Anesthesia |
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If the
patient is young, general Anesthesia is recommended, so the
child will sleep through the operation. For older children
or adults, the procedure can be carried out using local
Anesthesia, combined with a sedative, so you or your child
will be awake but relaxed. |
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Surgery |
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The
method of surgery is to weaken the cartilage of the Ear so
that it bends into its new shape. At the same time stitches
are placed in the cartilage to hold the Ear in position
until the new shape has formed. The incision is placed in
the natural creases behind the Ear. The operation is done
under either local Anesthetic (you are awake) or General
Anesthetic (you are asleep). You can choose. Most of the
time this is an outpatient operation and a stay in the
hospital is not needed. Ear Surgery usually takes about two
to three hours, although complicated procedures may take
longer. The technique will depend on the problem.
Common
techniques use a small incision in the back of the Ear to
expose the Ear cartilage. The cartilage is sculpted and bent
back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to
help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, a larger piece of
cartilage is removed to provide a more natural-looking fold
when the surgery is complete.
Other
techniques involve 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 sometimes performed on both
Ears for a better balance.
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Problems |
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All
operations have some risk. The risks of surgery are divided
into two groups. First those that are seen in all operations
and second those that are unique or special for this
operation. In the first group, the main risks are swelling,
bruising, bleeding, infection, a scar and numbness or change
in feeling. The main problems which are special for this
operation are an abnormal reaction to the stitches and
recurrence of the problem.
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Other
Ear problems |
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Besides
Protruding Ears, there are a variety of other problems that
can be helped with surgery. These include: "Lop Ear", when
the tip seems to fold down an 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 Ear
Lobes, or Lobes with large creases and wrinkles. New Ears
can even be built for those who were born without them or
who lost them through injury. For Ear reconstruction,
cartilage from the patient's other Ear, from the ribs or
prosthetic material may be used, depending on the extent of
the problem.
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Postoperative
care |
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The
recovery takes one to two weeks. Most people are back to
work within a week or two. It takes many months before the
final result is seen.
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Your
new Appearance |
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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. By
discussing the procedure and your expectations before your
operation, chances are, you will be quite pleased with the
result.
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