Otoplasty Surgery for Correction of Protruding Ears

Generally, our ears are attached close to the back, at an angle of approximately 25-35 degrees. In some cases, where ears protrude and are at a greater angle with the head than normal, or the ears are not in beautiful shape, the ears do not attach to the back as they should. In some cases, the ear edges do not fold back; this is mostly due to the ear cartilage failing to fold normally. Possibly, it developed that way from childhood due to genetics.

Otoplasty surgery can begin at age 12; however, most people start in adulthood.

Normally, otoplasty can be performed from childhood, starting at age 12. At this age, children’s ears are fully grown and the same size as adults’ ears. Correcting deformed ears is straightforward and effective with surgery, which is considered the only solution. Because those cartilages are deformed, it is difficult to adapt to other methods. It must be softened and reshaped. The surgery involves making an incision along the back of the ear to adjust or cut and sew the ear cartilage back into shape as needed. For ear-shape correction surgery, patients do not have to worry about scars, as the scars will be thin lines hidden behind the ear.

Preparation before Otoplasty Surgery

Before surgery is conducted, patients have to prepare as follows:

• Stop taking Vitamins and all types of supplements for at least one week.
• Stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages for at least one day.
• Anticoagulant drugs should be discontinued.
• The patient needs to fast for 6 hours before surgery for intravenous sedation.
• On the surgery day, patients should wear clothing that is easy to remove and put back on.
• On the day of surgery, a relative or caregiver should accompany the patient.

Procedure for Otoplasty Surgery

There are a few easy steps for Otoplasty surgery, as follows:

• The anesthetist will put you to sleep using intravenous sedation.
• The incision is made behind the ear, then a small amount of the skin is removed from the back, and the ear cartilage is folded to make the patient’s ear appear backward. The ear cartilage might be tucked to the mastoid bone.
• Use sutures to sew the ear down toward the back, as directed by the treatment plan.
• The wound is then stitched to fit the shape.
• The procedure takes approximately 1 hour.
• Put the plaster around the ears for 2 days.
• The patient needs approximately 2 weeks of recovery time, then returns for follow-up as scheduled by the doctor.

The Problems which may occur after the Otoplasty surgery

• A little blood is seeping from the surgical wound; however, it will gradually improve and heal on its own.
• There is a possibility of ear rebound.
• In bilateral ear surgery, when the ears are closed after surgery, the two ears may not match. Therefore, it cannot guarantee that both ears will close equally or 100% the same; if one side does not bounce, they will look similar. However, most doctors will perform surgery to make both ears as close as possible.
• In case of ears that bounce back, it usually takes a long time to bounce back, or the ears may bounce out only slightly. If the patient is still satisfied with the appearance, there is no need for surgery. However, if it feels like it bounces back too much and becomes not beautiful, surgery can be performed to correct it again. However, in most cases, the first three months must pass for the wound to heal completely. Because if it is corrected immediately, there may be a problem with stitches not sticking well, and there is a chance that it will bounce back as before

Patient Self-Care after the surgery:

• Avoid getting the wound wet for at least two days.
• Patients may feel pain after the first two nights, when the wound is closed, but they will feel better after the wound is opened. So, they can take medicine as prescribed by the doctor.
• After surgery, let patients sleep with their head elevated to help reduce the pain.
• Two days after surgery, the wound can be opened and washed with water. Anyway, patients have to dry the wound and apply the antiseptic solution to it in the morning and the evening.
• Stitches are dissolvable, so no removal is needed.
• After surgery, avoid any exercise that may affect the head for at least 1 week.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking for at least 1 week or until the wound is completely healed. If you experience any abnormal bleeding, see the doctor immediately.