Otoplasty is a commonly performed surgical procedure to correct ears which stick out too far from the side of the head and to improve the shape of the ears. It can be performed to correct asymmetries between the two ears, as well as to bring the ear position more into harmony with the rest of the face. Dr David Ying can help you to improve your appearance and enhance your self-esteem, making you feel more confident with yourself.
Before the surgery.
It is important to discuss with your surgeon any pre-existing medical conditions which you may have, any history of bad scarring, as well as notifying them of any regular medications that you take. Tablets such as anti-inflammatories and aspirin should be avoided in the 2 weeks before surgery, as they can increase the risk of bleeding.
The surgery.
Otoplasty is frequently performed on children in order to avoid teasing at school, but may also be performed on adults. In children, it is usually best performed any time from the age of seven, by which time the ear cartilage is mature enough to be shaped and when the child is old enough to co-operate with the surgery and the aftercare. The procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic and patients are usually discharged on the same day. During the surgery, local anaesthetic is also used, which will help with post-operative pain relief. The scars for otoplasty are all placed behind the ear, so they are not visible. In order to improve the shape of your ear, a combination of either scraping the cartilage or using stitches may be used. Additional stitches may be used to pull the entire ear closer to the side of the head and also to correct prominence of the ear lobes. The wounds are then closed and a head bandage applied.
After the surgery.
Otoplasty is not usually a painful procedure and only simple pain medications are required afterwards. The head bandage is left in place for a week, at which time it is removed and any stitches that need to be removed are taken out. From this time, the wounds are left open and you can shower normally. You will need to wear a headband at night for a few weeks following the procedure. If you would like further information or if you wish to make an appointment to discuss ear correction surgery with Dr David Ying, please contact us.
