Otoplasty

Otoplasty

Otoplasty is an aesthetic procedure that is performed in order to improve the appearance of the ears and to correct any congenital or acquired damage to the patient's ears. Otoplasty solves two deformities: protruding (bat) ears and large ears. Although otoplasty does not affect hearing, it can psychologically help anyone who has problems with the size of their ears, has suffered a serious ear injury or simply wishes to improve their appearance.

What can otoplasty fix?

With otoplasty surgery, several cosmetic ear abnormalities can be corrected, such as:

• Large or protruding ears Lop ear (the top of the ear folds down or in) Cupped ear (small ear)
• Shell ear (no outer curve in the cartilage)
• Large, pulled, or torn ear lobes
• Wrinkle lobes

Dr. Pantelidis re-manufactures ears for patients who do not have due to injury or other causes.

Who are suitable candidates for otoplasty

Otoplasty can be done in children aged 4 to 14 years, but it can benefit people of all ages. Consider a suitable candidate for otoplasty when:

• You want to improve the appearance of your ears.
• You are generally healthy.
• You have realistic expectations.

How is otoplasty done?

• Otoplasty lasts about hours and is done under local anesthesia.
• Otoplasty begins with a small incision made, in the normal fold behind the ear.
• Then the new shape of the cartilage is formed to achieve the desired result.
• After changing the shape of the cartilage, stitches are used to close the incisions and a bandage is placed around the head to ensure the correct position of the ears.
• To achieve a better balance, surgery can be performed on both ears even if the problem is only in one of them.

Recovery after otoplasty?

• Patients of all ages return to their activities within a few hours, but may feel pain for a few days. Best period of correcting the prominent ears is the age of 4-8 years old of the patient, because there will be no bulling when they go to school.
• Pain killers may be needed.
• A few days after otoplasty, the bandages around the head are replaced with gauze in the ears that are removed in 1 week.
• The stitches are removed within 1 week. For the first 2 weeks after surgery, patients should sleep on their backs and not sideways.
• After 1 week after surgery, children can return to school and adults can return to work and recover their daily activities.
• After the incisions in the ears have fully healed, there will be a small scar on the back of the ears. However, due to the location of the scars they will hardly look at all and over time they will look less and less

What are the risks of otoplasty?

In a small percentage of patients a clot can develop in the ear. This clot generally dissolves on its own or can be dissolved with a needle. Another possible risk is cartilage infection, a condition that can cause the creation of scar tissue. It can be treated with antibiotics, but surgical rehabilitation may be required.