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Otoplasty or Ear Correction surgery is a medical correction treatment for the patients whose angle between back of ears and head is too wide prominent. Those patient’s ears called as ‘‘cauliflower ears”. In this case, the curves of the upper half of the ear lack, causing a flat look. Besides these deformities, the ear-lobe may be protruding, as well. These problems may be equally evident in both ears or in one ear only. This is a congenital condition arising from the underdevelopment of the ear drum. Development of the human ear gets completed when the child reaches age 5 or 6. So, otoplasty can be performed in children at the age of 5 or 6 and at any age afterwards. As this problem might have a negative impact on the psychology of the school child, it would be better to have this surgery before the child starts school. If prominent ears are identified in babyhood, daily application of a flexible tape under physician’s supervision may be sufficient for treatment. Ears treated in this way do not re-develop prominent ears. Correction of the cauliflower ears is the most common type of otoplasty. Other surgeries of the ear include ear reduction and earring hole repair surgeries.

WHO NEEDS IT?

• This surgery is performed when the angle between the ear and the head exceeds 30-35 degrees or when there is malformation of the ear

ANESTHESIA METHOD

• Local Anesthesia (In adults)
• General Anesthesia (In children)

HOW IS IT PERFORMED?

In this surgical operation, an incision is made mostly behind the ear and sometimes on the front side. The scars from otoplasty are often invisible. One or a combination of the below methods are used depending on the condition of the patient:

• Some of the cartilage of the ear is excised.
• The cartilage is rasped to give it a thinner form.
• Permanent sutures are applied on the cartilage to support the ear, the ear angle is narrowed until it gains a natural appearance.
• Excess skin may need excision, as well.
• There is no laser otoplasty. Laser can only be used for the incision of the ear skin. The operation is not performed with a laser.

EAR SURGERY RECOVERY

• The head is wrapped after the operation and the wrapping is removed 6 to 7 days after the surgery.
• The patient can have a bath 1 week after the surgery.
• The patients is advised to use a tennis head band or a hair band for 2-3 weeks after the surgery.
• There may be swelling and bruises for around 1 week.
• Recovery takes around 2 weeks.
• There may be numbness in the operation area for a few weeks. It is not recommended to sue a hair dryer until the numbness gets better.
• The patient can start doing sports 3 weeks after the surgery. However; at least 1,5 months shall pass before the patient gets engaged with sports or activities which involve the risk of damage to ear.
• The ear gains its normal appearance as of the 3th On the other hand, complete recovery takes 1 year as in all other cosmetic surgeries.
• Patients are mostly satisfied with the results of the surgery. However; complications or misfortunes may come out rarely as in any other surgery. These include hematoma, inflammation of the ear cartilage and asymmetry of the two ears or sometimes, the ears may get too close to the head. Revision surgery might be needed for correction.