Otoplasty
is a procedure designed to pin back the ears closer to the head
or reduce their size. This procedure can be performed on younger
individuals to avoid being teased from others. This results in
more natural-looking ears. The otoplasty procedure varies with
every patient and their degree of ear deformity.
The operation usually takes about two to here hours and is performed
in an outpatient setting under general or local anesthesia with
sedation. During the operation, an incision is made behind the
ear to hide any obvious marks of surgical intervention. Multiple,
strategically placed, sutures are placed to shape the cartilage
into normal folds, which were missing pre-operatively. The cartilage
is then re-shaped using techniques of scoring, suturing, limited
removal or combinations of the three.
The reshaped framework is then repositioned to achieve the best
balance with the opposite side and to reduce excessive projection.
The skin is redraped, any excess skin is removed, and the incision
behind the ear is closed. A gentle pressure dressing is placed
to prevent excessive fluid accumulation beneath the skin.
To reduce the swelling or collection of fluid beneath the skin,
you'll have a dressing on your head to put gentle pressure on
your ears and maintain their new position. After about t two or
three days, the dressing will be removed .All of your incisions
will be carefully closed with stitches. Some of the suture will
dissolve while other sutures will require removal in 7 to 10 days.
You'll be able to wash your hair as soon as your head dressing
is removed on the second or third day after surgery.
Most patients experience very little pain following their procedure.
There will be slight discomfort or soreness— mostly when
you bump or move your ears. This will be for about a week or two.
You'll notice some swelling in the ears for two to three weeks
following surgery. Most bruising will resolve in the first week
or two. During this time, you can cover your ears with your hair.