Ear surgery can be performed to reposition protruding ears, correct deformities or awkward folding, adjust the contour or the size of the ear, or repair torn earlobes. The goal is not to improve hearing; but instead to improve the appearance, which may result in a dramatic increase in self-confidence.
Ear surgery is the only cosmetic procedure that is performed more frequently on children than it is on adults. Many parents opt to have their child's ears reconstructed at an early age before they reach the critical teen years. A child's ears are fully developed by the age of four, and are much more pliable at an early age, making it easier to reconstruct.
Ear surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis, and generally takes around 2 hours to complete. Your doctor will thoroughly walk you through the procedure in your initial consultation, and will share with you steps leading up to the procedure, and care in the days and weeks following the surgery.
Your doctor will be able to answer all of your questions before surgery; but to give you an idea of various procedures, look at these three examples.
Many people are self conscious of protruding ears. To reposition a prominent or protruding portion of the ear, and contour it closer to your head, your surgeon will make a small incision behind the ear, exposing the ear cartilage. The cartilage is then sculpted to bend the ear back closer to the head, making them less prominent and creating a less noticeable first impression.
Ear deformities such as "lop-ear deformity," can be corrected by placing permanent stitches in the upper ear cartilage to create a fold. As the scar tissue from the surgery forms, the folds will be reinforced. Other deformities, whether congenital or due to trauma, are often corrected using a patients' own soft tissue or rib cartilage, or occasionally an implant. The patient's ear will be surgically opened and reshaped to look similar to the other ear.
Another common procedure for the ear is to repair torn ear lobes. Your doctor will begin by cutting a small notch on the torn portion of the lobe, and meticulously stitch the lobe back together again. Your ear should be fully healed in about 6 weeks, and ready for re-piercing, if desired.
Complications associated with ear surgery are extremely rare. Occasionally a patient may develop a blood clot, or may experience an infection of the cartilage. These can all be treated fairly quickly with medication.
Because many of the patients seeking this type of surgery are young, your doctor may have a few questions to determine if the surgery is right for you. A candidate must be in good health, and have no scarring around the ear. The patient must also be able to understand the surgery and the post surgical requirements. Recovery may take two weeks or more, and may require wearing a headband or soft bandage around the ears at bedtime, to help keep the ears positioned correctly through healing.
After postoperative care, you will notice an immediate change in looks, and possibly in attitude. Both children and adults alike report more confidence and in general feeling better about the way they look after the surgery.
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