If you’re considering prominent ear surgery
Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems
that can be helped with surgery. These include: "lop ear," when
the tip 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 ear correction surgery can leave a scar
that’s worse than the original problem. Mr Murphy will be happy
to explain about the effectiveness of ear correction surgery
for your specific case.
Back to Top
The best candidates for prominent ear surgery
For the most part, the operation can be done on children between
the ages of four and fourteen. Prominent ear correction or otoplasty surgery on adults
is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks
associated with ear surgery on an older patient.
Back to Top
All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
Ear surgery complications are infrequent and usually minor.
However, as with any operation, there are certain risks and complications
associated with surgery and specific complications associated
with this ear correction procedure.
A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the
ear. This 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 and, rarely, surgery may be required
to drain the infected area.
Back to Top
Planning your surgery
During your initial consultation, Mr Murphy will evaluate and
assess the scope of correction required and recommend the most
effective technique.
We recommend that parents stay alert to their child’s feelings
about protruding ears and don’t insist on the ear correction
surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel
uncomfortable about their ears and want the ear correction surgery
are generally more cooperative during the process and happier
with the outcome.
Back to Top
Preparing for your surgery
Your will be given instructions to help you prepare yourself
or your child for surgery. These may include guidelines on eating
and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins
and medications.
If you are having ear surgery yourself, while making preparations,
be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after your
ear surgery and to help you out for a few days, if needed.
You or your child will usually be admitted on the day of surgery,
and stay until the early evening. Occasionally, an overnight
stay will be indicated. If you are having surgery yourself, you
will need a friend or relative to accompany you home after your
stay in the hospital.
Back to Top
The surgery
With one of the more common techniques, a small incision is
made in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. The cartilage
is then sculpted and bent 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.
Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours, although
complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend
on the problem.
Back to Top
After your surgery
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 anaesthesia
wear off.
The patient’s head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately
following surgery to promote the best moulding and healing.
The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this
can be relieved by medication.
Back to Top
Getting back to normal
Within a few days, bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter
head dressing. You will need to follow directions for wearing
this dressing, especially at night. Non-dissolvable stitches
are usually removed in about a week. Dissolvable stitches usually
disappear within six weeks.
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.
Back to Top
Your new look
Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results
of prominent ear surgery as long as you keep in mind that the goal is improvement,
not perfection. Don’t expect both ears to match perfectly as
symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural in ears. If you’ve discussed
the procedure and your expectations before the operation it is
likely that you’ll be pleased with the result.
Back
to Top
