There are various kinds of cosmetic ear surgery. Here are some myths about these.
Cosmetic ear surgery can improve the way a person’s ears look. Sometimes these features have a genetic flaw due to difficulties before birth; other times they are just out of proportion with a person’s head size and shape. Sometimes they’ve been damaged due to an accident and need surgical intervention in order to correct them. Here are some of the myths surrounding the procedures.
1) It’s best to wait until a person is an adult to address them surgically. This is incorrect. A child’s self esteem may be severely damaged by waiting too long. Otoplasty may be performed as early as during the first grade.
2) Ears aren’t fully developed until adolescence. This is untrue. The human ear is fully mature at age six years.
3) Microtia is a congenital deformity most prevalent in girls. This isn’t correct. This is a developmental flaw,
which is most common in boys.
4) Congenital defects always occur in both sides. No, this is a myth. These problems often only appear on one side, either the left or the right.
5) Children are deaf if they are born with Microtia. This is wrong. The portion that is responsible for hearing is the inner ear. It develops at a different gestational time frame than the external part. When the inner portion is intact, hearing is normal.
6) The reconstruction operation is done in one long operation. This is false. This procedure is usually performed in two, three or four stages depending on which technique is chosen.
7) The skeletal components in a reconstruction are made of plastic. This isn’t true. The optimum material is human cartilage from the ribcage. Portions of ribs are rebuilt into a new skeleton for an ear.
8) Deformities are extremely common. This is false. This congenital birth defect only happens in one out of every 6,000 to 12,000 births.
9) No one knows why Microtia happens. False again. There are several theories regarding this birth defect. One is that prescription medications are the culprit. Another is that the pregnant mother was exposed to toxic substances. Still another argument is that it is something that is in the genetic predisposition of one of the parents.
10) Otoplasty is a frivolous cosmetic procedure. This is very untrue. An individual with large ears that stick out is subject to ridicule and name calling throughout childhood. Self-esteem may suffer greatly and the person may withdraw into depression or social isolation. Feeling positive about one’s appearance has a profound impact on one’s success in life in terms of personal and business relationships. Having a reduction in size or pinning them so that they don’t stick out can do wonders for an individual’s quality of life.
11) Any doctor can perform reconstructive or cosmetic operations. This isn’t the case. A cosmetic or reconstructive specialist is a must in these complex procedures.
When it’s time to have cosmetic ear surgery, it’s best to get word-of-mouth referrals for competent doctors and go for an initial consultation in order to see about the viability of the operation. Improved appearance can lead to improved quality of life.
