Otoplasty for Your Child

Feb 10
08:18

2011

Andrea Avery

Andrea Avery

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Otoplasty is an ear surgery that is performed during a youngster’s childhood. Here are some things to think about.

mediaimage
Most cosmetic surgeries are performed when a patient is an adult but otoplasty is one of the exceptions. One reason to wait until adulthood for most operations is that many body parts don’t reach maturity until the individual is fully grown. Another reason is that an individual should reach emotional maturity before making such a critical decision in their life. Decisions to have elective surgeries must be taken seriously and not entered into lightly. This procedure,Otoplasty for Your Child Articles however, is preferably done at a young age.
Otoplasty is the medical term for surgical alteration of the ear. This procedure is done in order to reduce the size or change the positioning of the outer portions of ears. The reason it is acceptable during childhood is that the ears are developed enough by age five or six years old to be considered fully grown. Since these appendages are so visible, having oversized or those that stick out can make a child become a target for ridicule. Being teased and called names such as “Dumbo” can scar a child for life. When a child feels embarrassed about the way he or she looks, it may cause him or her to withdraw social and academically. It can cause a severe inferiority complex that may be difficult to shake even if the procedure is performed during adulthood.

If otoplasty is desired, an individual should make an appointment with a reputable board certified plastic surgeon in order to discuss the options. Although most people view the right and left sides of their bodies as symmetric, no one’s is actually in exact symmetry. Although a surgeon will correct both ears, it should be understood by patients that each side will be very similar but not exact. Patients and their parents can view “before and after” photos of others’ results in order to get an idea of the probable outcome.

During the operation, an incision will be made to weaken cartilage behind the ears. Some skin and cartilage may need to be snipped away in order to obtain the proper proportion. Cartilage will be folded and stitched into the appropriate positioning. Since incisions are made behind the tissue, scars are usually not visible.

This is an outpatient operation meaning that the patient would go home on the same day as surgery. It only takes an hour or less to complete and would be performed in a hospital or clinical setting. Anesthesia would be given in order to keep the person comfortable and pain free. There will be some swelling, bruising and pain initially but this should recede relatively quickly.

Post-operatively, patients will need to wear a covering band for two to four weeks. This is to protect and support the healing result. It would be optimum to plan such procedures during summer vacations or other times off from school. Within a couple of weeks, a patient could return to school. Many children choose to return after the handband is removed, however.

If an individual is interested in having an otoplasty performed on themselves or their child, he or she should make an appointment for an initial consultation. The doctor will be able to outline the specifics in order to aid in the decision making process.

Article "tagged" as:

Categories: