Otoplasty

What is Otoplasty?

Flap ear is characterized with a large and prominent ear and lack of ear curves as an innate or acquired issue. Flap ears can be corrected by an otoplasty operation. Otoplasty helps the ear gain it curves and an angle matching the face. While helping a natural appearance, it also ensures the balance between the face and ears. As well as helping the correction of large and prominent ears, otoplasty corrects slight deformities to support one’s appearance and self-esteem.

Considering that the ear stops growing and gets settled by age 5 in terms of anatomy, the preschool period is the best time for otoplasty. In this case, children with prominent ears will be protected from the psychological trauma such deformity could cause. Certainly this operation can also be performed in adulthood. Otoplasty doesn’t cause any hearing problem as it only aims to correct the external ear.

Otoplasty operation must be performed in a surgery room under anesthesia. Adult or child patients can also be operated in sedation (slight sleeping state). The hole behind the ear is used to reshape the ear with permanent stitches to help it gain an angle matching the face. Although the incision at the back of the ear is permanent, if properly made it is unnoticeable even when not concealed with hair.

There will be a large dressing and small drains after the operation. These drains are removed and the size of dressing is reduced the next day. Your ears may look swollen and red when the dressing is removed. You shouldn’t worry about that. A loose hair band is put after the removal of dressing. You should wear this hair band during the day for 2 weeks and during the night for 6 weeks. I particularly advise my patients to wear it during night for 6 weeks, as there is the risk for the stitches to be opened when you turn from one side to another. Otoplasty is not a painful operation. There won’t be any troubling pain in the first day as the operation will be performed under local anesthesia. Mild painkillers can be taken in the following acute period. It takes 6 weeks for edema to disappear and for ears to find their final shape.

Patients from overseas should stay in the city for 1 week as they need to come for a check on the 2nd and 7th days. Patients should also bear in mind that otoplasty is undergone for aesthetic purposed, to please yourself and gain an ideal facial appearance and improved self esteem and confidence.