Otoplasty is one of the most common forms of plastic surgery for children. Prior to consultation with the doctor, it is important to have some background information to make the experience less stressful.
Otoplasty is a form of cosmetic surgery for the ears and one of the most common forms of plastic surgery for children. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons,
the majority of patients are between the ages of 4 and 14. Ear surgery generally corrects excessive ear cartilage, shell ear, lop ear or large, deformed ear lobes. Also, surgeons are able to reconstruct missing areas of the ear as a result of birth defects or a traumatic injury.
The Best Time for Otoplasty
By age 4, children's ears are fully developed. Luckily, young age does not present any risks for this procedure. The reasoning for the surgery is often to help the child avoid ridicule at school for their ears. As a result, it is desirable to conduct this procedure at a young age when the cartilage is flexible and can easily be molded. Also, the child will encounter the psychological benefits quicker at a young age.
The Initial Consultation
During the initial meeting, the surgeon will inspect your ears and review the options for fixing them. Even if only one side needs correction, they will most likely conduct surgery on both for a more consistent and natural look. Otoplasty surgery will not have any effect on hearing and aims to make your ears more proportional to your head.
General Overview of the Procedure
The otoplasty procedure is performed in a medical surgery center or hospital. Both general and local anesthesias are applied for young children. Older patients are also suggested to have a mild sedative. In most instances, patients are sent home after only a few hours following the procedure. Overall surgery time is approximately two hours.
Following the Surgery
The head is wrapped in a bandage immediately after the procedure. The bandage helps to keep the ears in their new position and greatly assists with the healing process. A few days after patients return to the doctor’s office for a lighter bandage.
To reduce post-surgery complications, the surgeon provides an instruction list to follow. The directions generally state that young children should refrain from normal activity for a week with special care for three weeks. The best practice to follow is to not bend the ears for a month after surgery.
Common Recovery Experiences
During recovery, it is common to feel mild discomfort and numbness. This is usually assisted by prescribed oral medication. Also, headaches and swelling – which diminishes after a week – are common occurrences. Finally, unusual sensations are often evident, including itching and lack of sensation where the incision was made which will disappear over time.
Otoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries for children. Although the majority of patients are young, individuals can undertake the procedure at any point in time. In general, it is a quick process where you will not be bedridden for many days.
