AUTOPLASTY – PROMINENT EAR SURGERY (EAR AESTHETICS)

Prominent ear is just one of congenital deformations. It causes a lack of self confidence in the social life during childhood. The prominent ear problem is detected equally in women and men; and it may be corrected through a small surgery called Autoplasty.

WHO MAY HAVE PROMINENT EAR SURGERY?

Everybody whose cartilage area called auricle is wider than the ear size and who feels uncomfortable from this appearance may have the surgery.

Since the problem is congenital, people may face this problem from younger ages. Although some physicians recommend 18 years of age and older to have the surgery, there is not any problem in the children who have the surgery at 5 to 6 years of age. The procedure is not so sensitive to require an age limit.

HOW IS AUTOPLASTY SURGERY DONE?

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia in younger patients and under local anaesthesia in adults. A small incision is done on the posterior side of the auricle and the excessive skin is removed to make the ear compatible with general dimensions of the ear. Several sutures are placed onto the incision site and bandage is applied. The bandage is renewed for 2 to 3 weeks. Sutures are removed after 10 days. The procedure lasts about 1 to 2 hours in total.

The patient should avoid to lie on a higher pillow and to make movements that may fold the ear involuntarily during the recovery period.

POINTS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE PROMINENT EAR SURGERY

* The patient should share her/his concerns and questions before the procedure. The patient should be informed about whole process.

* The questions asked to the patient by the doctor should be answered carefully. For instance; previously used medications. The physician should have a complete information about the patient.

* Alcohol use should be discontinued before the surgery.

* The physician should be informed about any medical condition. For instance, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, goitre disease, allergy, chronic diseases etc.

* The patient should sleep well and have a bath before the surgery.

* The patient should feel comfortable during surgery period. Therefore, cosy clothes are recommended on the operation day. However, the patient should not have any make-up. Nail polish should not be used and no jewellery should be pinned.

* The physician should be informed if any cold, flu, sore throat or throat dryness is experienced one or several days before the surgery.

* Smoking reduces the oxygen quantity in the blood. Therefore, wound healing becomes difficult and delayed. To quit smoking is recommended about two weeks before the surgery.

HOW IS AUTOPLASTY SURGERY DONE?

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia in younger patients and under local anaesthesia in adults. A small incision is done on the posterior side of the auricle and the excessive skin is removed to make the ear compatible with general dimensions of the ear. Several sutures are placed onto the incision site and bandage is applied. The bandage is renewed for 2 to 3 weeks. Sutures are removed after 10 days. The procedure lasts about 1 to 2 hours in total.

The patient should avoid to lie on a higher pillow and to make movements that may fold the ear involuntarily during the recovery period.

POINTS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION AFTER PROMINENT EAR SURGERY

* The patient should rest at home at least for 3 days.

* Bank use recommended after bandage should be fulfilled. This is very important to prevent opening of the ears.

* Dressing should be performed as suggested and instructed by the physician properly.

* Folding and bending of the ear should be avoided for about 2 months.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PROMINENT EAR PROCEDURE

Will any scar be left after prominent Ear Surgery?

Since the incision is made from the posterior side of the ear, nobody will notice that you have this surgery. A slight scar may be left on the incision site.

Is There Any Pain or Hearing Loss after Autoplasty Surgery?

Complications such as hematoma or swelling may rarely appear on the surgery site after the procedure. This is a reaction against the change of blood flow of the skin; a mild headache may appear. Pain killers may be used. Hearing loss is not definitely observed.

Do Prominent Ear Surgery have any Adverse Events?

Re-opening of the sutures; when the sports bandage is not used, the sutures on the ears may open. Intervention by a physician may be required in this case.

Haematoma is a condition noticed earlier. It is eliminated through a short procedure.

Infection appears if the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor after prominent ear surgery  is not used. Furthermore, improper dressing causes infection.

What are the Benefits of Prominent Ear Surgery?

The ears are positioned on normal locations through prominent ear surgery. The individual thereby has a serious change. Such change affects whole life of the patient who experiences prominent ear problem for a long period.

The patient regains the self-confidence lost. The tension and anxiety caused by this problem disappears. Because this problem causes psychiatric problems. Aesthetic procedure for prominent ear reflects to work, social and private life positively.