Ear correction surgery is performed to correct protruding ears, the most common ear deformity. During the procedure, the surgeon pins the patient’s ears back by reshaping and securing the ear cartilage. The procedure can be performed either on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia or as an inpatient procedure under general anesthesia and takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Here you will find the most important information as well as qualified otoplasty specialists.
In the Far East, protruding ears are often considered a sign of intelligence and prosperity. In the Western world, however, they are generally viewed as a deformity.
Protruding ears are usually caused by
.
Many people affected by this condition, especially children, are the target of teasing. As a result, they may develop feelings of inferiority and psychological problems.
Ear correction surgery can be performed at any age. The procedure reshapes the ear cartilage and brings the ears closer to the head.
Starting school is a major milestone for children. For psychological reasons, ear correction should therefore be performed before the child starts school, but no later than age 10.
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The patient can then leave the clinic on the same day as the procedure. However, if desired, the ear correction can also be performed under general anesthesia. This usually requires several preliminary examinations and a hospital stay of 2 to 7 days.
Ear correction can be used to treat protruding ears © Марина Демешко | AdobeStock
Ear correction usually leads to a good cosmetic result.
However, one ear rarely matches the other, either before or after surgery. For example, one ear may be larger than the other and stick out more. The cartilage structure may also differ between the two ears.
After surgery, new deformities may occur due to scar formation or the cartilage springing back. These can then be corrected again through a second procedure.
A preoperative consultation takes place before the surgery. The doctor discusses the procedure and potential risks with the patient.
To prevent complications, the patient should inform the doctor of any existing medical conditions or allergies. In addition, the surgeon must know in advance whether the patient takes medication regularly.
Some patients are prone to noticeable bruising or prolonged bleeding following minor injuries. In such cases, the doctor must rule out blood clotting disorders through special tests beforehand.
Pain relievers containing acetylsalicylic acid and other medications can interfere with blood clotting. You should therefore avoid these medications for 10 days prior to surgery. Otherwise, they may lead to postoperative bleeding, which can damage the ear cartilage and skin.
For the surgery, the patient is positioned on their back with their head slightly elevated. Before the actual surgery begins, the face and hairline are first washed and disinfected. The surgical team covers the patient’s body up to the neck with sterile drapes, leaving the face exposed.
Next, local anesthesia is administered via a small injection behind the earlobe, which causes virtually no pain.
The plastic surgeon then makes an incision—largely concealed—along the edge of the auricle and exposes the auricular cartilage. He thins this cartilage using a fine diamond grinding head and shapes it into the desired form.
At the end of the otoplasty, the reshaped ear cartilage is secured with fine sutures, and the skin incision is closed.
An otoplasty procedure takes between 1 and 2 hours. After the surgery, the ears are secured with adhesive strips and covered with a bandaged cap. Adults can also wear a wide headband immediately after the otoplasty.
Immediately after the surgery, there is usually
on the operated ears, but these usually subside within a few days. About three to four days after the ear correction, the patient is usually able to return to work or school.
During the first three weeks after surgery, the patient should wear a cap-style bandage or a soft headband while sleeping and lying down. This prevents the outer ear from bending. When washing your hair, you should also be careful not to knock your ears.
Sports are also off-limits for about six weeks after the ear correction. The sutures are removed and the adhesive bandage taken off at the clinic about 7 to 10 days after the procedure.
The scar will fade over time until it is barely noticeable. A final assessment of the results of the otoplasty is usually possible after 2 to 3 months. By then, any remaining swelling will have subsided, and the final shape of the ears will have been achieved.
Despite the utmost care, isolated complications may occur during and after surgical ear correction. These include, among other things,
In rare cases, the ears may also begin to stick out again. This occurs when the patient is intolerant to the suture material, leading to rejection of the suture.
Severe pain following ear pinning surgery may be due to a bandage that is too tight or a hematoma. Follow-up visits with the doctor are therefore necessary.
A hematoma can usually be treated with a puncture and only rarely requires a repeat procedure.
In very rare cases, a keloid may develop in the scar after surgery. This is a thick, raised, discolored, painful, and itchy scar. It can be treated with
.
Infections of the wound or the ear cartilage can delay the healing process. In addition, in very rare cases, a disruption of the blood supply can lead to damage to the skin or cartilage.
Patients who have previously undergone ear surgery are at higher risk for such complications. However, these areas usually heal on their own without the need for surgery.
Surgical ear correction requires the severing of fine skin nerves. Therefore, it is normal for the sense of touch in the ear to be temporarily impaired.
After the procedure, for example, you may experience reduced sensation or abnormal sensations in the ear. However, these symptoms usually resolve on their own over time.
Every physician listed in the Leading Medicine Guide has attained the highest level of training and certification within their respective medical specialty society. Furthermore, we contacted this physician based, among other factors, on their case volume (surgeries, treatments, and therapies), which we determined by cross-referencing various publicly available sources. Following discussions with the selected physicians and the directors of the medical facilities, as well as a subsequent internal review, they were admitted to the Leading Medicine Guide.
The quality assurance of the Leading Medicine Guide is further ensured by 8 admission criteria. Each member must meet at least 6 of them:
