Ear correction is used to correct protruding ears, the most common ear deformity. During the ear correction procedure, the surgeon fixes the patient's ears by reshaping and fixing the ear cartilage. The procedure can be performed either as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia or as an inpatient procedure under general anesthesia and takes about 1 to 2 hours.
You can find the most important information and qualified ear correction specialists here.
In the Far East, protruding ears are often seen as a sign of wisdom and prosperity. In the western world, however, they are usually regarded as a deformity.
Protruding ears are usually caused by
is present.
Many sufferers, especially children, are the target of teasing. They can therefore develop feelings of inferiority and psychological disorders.
Ear correction can be performed at any age. The operation reshapes the cartilage of the ear and brings the ears closer to the head.
Starting school is a major event for children. For psychological reasons, an ear correction should therefore be performed before the child starts school, but no later than the age of 10.
The procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia. The patient can then leave the clinic directly on the day of the procedure. However, ear correction can also be performed under general anesthesia on request. This usually requires some preliminary examinations and an inpatient hospital stay of 2 to 7 days.
Protruding ears can be treated with an ear correction © Марина Демешко | AdobeStock
Ear correction usually leads to a good cosmetic result.
However, one ear is rarely the same as another, both before and after surgery. One ear may be larger than the other and protrude further. The cartilage framework can also be structured differently.
After the operation, new malformations can occur due to the formation of scars or the resetting of the cartilage. These can then be corrected again with a second operation.
A preliminary consultation takes place before the operation. The doctor discusses the procedure and possible risks with the patient.
To prevent complications, the patient should inform the doctor of any existing illnesses or allergies. The surgeon also needs to know in advance whether the patient takes medication regularly.
Some patients are prone to noticeable bruisingor persistent bleeding after minor injuries. In this case, the doctor must carry out special tests to rule out blood clotting disorders beforehand.
Painkillers containing acetylsalicylic acid and other medications can impair blood clotting. You should therefore refrain from taking these medications in the 10 days before the operation. Otherwise they can lead to secondary bleeding with damage to the ear cartilage and skin.
For the operation, the patient is positioned on their back with their head slightly elevated. Before the actual operation 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. The face remains uncovered.
Local anesthesia is then administered with a small puncture behind the earlobe, which hardly hurts at all.
The plastic surgeon then makes a largely concealed incision inside the edge of the pinna and exposes the auricular cartilage. He thins it out with a fine diamond grinding head and shapes it into the desired form.
At the end of the ear correction, the newly shaped ear cartilage is fixed with fine stitches and the skin wound is sutured.
Ear reshaping surgery takes between 1 and 2 hours. After the operation, the ears are fixed with plaster bandages and bandaged with a cap bandage. Adults can also wear a wide headband immediately after ear correction surgery.
Immediately after the operation, there is usually
on the operated ears, which disappear within a few days. The patient is usually fully fit for work or school again around three to four days after the ear correction.
For the first three weeks after the operation, the patient should wear a cap bandage or a soft headband when sleeping and lying down. This prevents the pinna from kinking. When washing your hair, you should also take care not to bend your ears.
Sport is also taboo for about six weeks after the ear correction. The stitches are removed and the plaster bandage is removed around 7 to 10 days after the procedure in the clinic.
The scar fades over time until it is barely visible. A final assessment of the results of the ear correction is usually possible after 2 to 3 months. By then, the residual swelling has subsided and the final ear shape has been achieved.
Despite the utmost care, complications are occasionally possible during and after ear correction surgery. These include, among others
In rare cases, the ears may also protrude again. This is the case if the patient has an intolerance to the suture material, which leads to rejection of the suture.
Severe pain during the operation to create the ears can be caused by a bandage that is too tight or a bruise. Checks by the doctor are therefore necessary.
Bruising can usually be treated with a puncture and only in rare cases does a repeat operation become necessary.
In very rare cases, a scar growth, also known as a keloid, can develop in the scar after the operation. This is a thick, bulging, discolored, painful and itchy scar. It can be treated with
be treated.
Infections of the wound or ear cartilage can lead to a delay in the healing process. In very rare cases, a disruption of the blood supply can also lead to damage to the skin or cartilage.
Patients who have previously undergone ear surgery have a higher risk of such complications. However, these areas usually heal spontaneously without the need for surgery.
Ear correction surgery requires the severing of fine skin nerves. It is therefore normal for the sensation of touch in the ear to be temporarily impaired.
After the procedure, for example, there may be a loss of sensation or discomfort in the ear. However, these usually disappear by themselves over time.
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