FACE
Protruding ears
The surgery for protruding ears is called Otoplasty.
Description
Otoplasty corrects cartilage anomalies in the auricle which give the prominent look.
The most common corrections include to re-establish the fold of the ear cartilage back to normal.
In practical terms
Before the surgery:
The patient schedules an appointment with the surgeon to find out about the patient’s requests and necessary modifications. The patient then meets the anaesthesist at least 48 hours before the surgery if a general anaesthesia is necessary.
It is recommended to fast 6 hours before the surgery, and not to take any medication containing aspirin or anti-inflammatory 10 days before.
During the surgery:
Incisions are made in the hidden parts of the ear. The surgeon then takes the skin off to access the cartilage. The latter is then restructured to improve the shape of the ear, before closing the skin back.
An elastic bandage is finally placed around the patient’s head.
After the surgery:
Otoplasty is usually not painful.
The surgeon removes the bandage around 7 days after the procedure. The patient then needs to wear a support bandage for a week during the night.
Temporary swelling and bruises may also appear.
The final result may take 1 to 2 months to be fully visible. During that time, the ear becomes flexible again, the scar becomes less visible, and the bruises disappear.
FAQ
From what age is an Otoplasty possible?
Otoplasty can be performed from 7 years old onward for 2 main reasons:
It is assumed that the child is old enough to decide whether he wants to surgery. I prefer to go head with the procedure only if the child wishes so, along with their parents’ consent.
Secondly, the ears have fully developed and reached their adult size at that age.