Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a surgical procedure done to set prominent ears back closer to the head.
For the most part, the operation is performed on children six years of age and up. Ears are almost fully grown by age five or six, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing the child will endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.
Dr. Ozaki recommends that parents stay alert to their child's feelings about protruding ears. Surgery is not recommended unless your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.
In the initial consultation, your Dr. Ozaki will evaluate the severity of the ear prominence and recommend the most effective technique. He will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.
Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours. There are typically 2 problems that are address with this type of surgery. An incision is made behind the ear to expose the ear cartilage. A portion of conchal (ear bowl) cartilage is then sculpted. Another area of the cartilage is softened and bent back toward the head. Non-removable stitches are used to help maintain the new shape. In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time.
Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These include: "lop ear," when the tip seems to fold down and forward; "cupped ear," which is usually a very small ear; and "shell ear," when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury.
Sometimes, however, the correction can leave a scar that's worse than the original problem. Ask your surgeon about the effectiveness of surgery for your specific case.
Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery. The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication.
Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow your surgeon's directions for wearing this dressing, especially at night.
Stitches will dissolve in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they are careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child's teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.