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| Services : Plastic Surgery : Ear Reshaping |
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For many adults and children, having large ears leads to ridicule, poor adaptation to school, and/or extreme self-consciousness. Otoplasty is a procedure used to reduce large or protruding ears by setting the ears back closer to the head as well as molding, shaping and/or removing cartilage.
Otoplasty can be performed at any age after the ears have reached (or nearly reached) their full size, which is around 5 to 6 years of age. This surgery is most often performed on children between the ages of 5 and 14. If you're considering otoplasty, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult our board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in otoplasty. What are some of the most common benefits of this surgery? Otoplasty can dramatically change a person’s appearance simply by making protruding ears look more normal. Often the problem is caused by an undeveloped middle fold of the ear. There may be other deformities as well, making it necessary to perform several procedures on the ear at the same time. Otoplasty can reshape the ears, reduce their size, make them more symmetrical, and/or position them closer to the head. If you (or your child) are self-conscious about your ears, and always keep them covered with your hair, then this surgery can open up new possibilities for changing your appearance and your body image.
During the consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. He/she will explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations. He/she will also explain the kind of anesthesia required, surgical facility, and costs. Your surgeon will ask for a complete medical history and examine the structure of both ears. Even if only one ear needs correction, surgery may still be recommended on both ears to achieve the most natural, symmetrical appearance. Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical expertise, should develop during the initial consultation. A positive attitude toward the surgery is an important factor in all plastic surgery, but it is especially critical when the patient is a child or adolescent. How is this surgery performed? This procedure generally involves reforming the cartilages that shape the ears, to pull them in, and reduce the protrusion. Sutures (stitches) are placed in the cartilage on the back side of the ear to maintain the new position. Incisions and the resulting scars are well concealed on the back of the ear, so that there is no visible scarring. Surgery begins with an incision just behind the ear, in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head. The surgeon will then remove the necessary amounts of cartilage and skin required to achieve the right effect. In some cases, the surgeon will trim the cartilage, shaping it into a more desirable form and then pin the cartilage back with permanent sutures to secure the cartilage. In other instances, the surgeon will not remove any cartilage at all, using stitches to hold the cartilage permanently in place. How long does the surgery take? Otoplasty generally takes about one to two hours per ear. The length of the procedure depends on the technique used and the amount of correction required. You’ll be able to return home within a few hours of the surgery. This surgery can be performed under local anesthetic, such as that used by most dentists, although most surgeons advise general anesthesia for young patients.
No. Only the outer ear is operated on, not the middle or inner ear, where hearing takes place. Will there be any visible scars? In most cases, no. The scars are hidden behind the ear. What can I expect after surgery? Most doctors like to have the patient wear a headband for a few weeks after surgery in order to protect the surgical repair. If you can wear this at work, then you can probably return to work quickly, but you will need to discuss this issue with your doctor. What is the recovery period like? Most normal activities can be resumed within a few weeks, but you will need to be very careful to protect your ears for at least 6 weeks, or possibly even longer. In order to make sure that there is no infection or bleeding in the ear after the surgery, you must be very careful to protect the ears and keep them clean. In addition, bending the ears forward in the first few months after the surgery can destroy even the finest surgical result, so be very careful to follow all of your surgeon’s instructions. What is the long-term outcome like for most people? The results are usually permanent, although there is always some small amount of “springing back” of the ears due to the elastic recoil of the ear cartilage. Ideal candidate: 1) Child, aged four or older, or adult. 2) In general good health. 3) No history of scarring problems, such as keloids. 4) Wanting to improve appearance. 5) Realistic in expectations. 6) Understand the limitations on activities required for good healing. 7) Able and willing to carefully follow the surgeon’s after-care instructions. The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he / she considers you (or your child) an ideal candidate for otoplasty. Alternatives: Wearing a headband or camouflaging the ears with long hair. Accept the ears with their protruding shape. Consider additional plastic surgery along with the otoplasty, to further improve the proportions of the head and face. Risks: In teenagers, it is best to wait for at least one year to see if the condition resolves spontaneously. In all candidates, discontinuing alcohol, marijuana or anabolic steroids may resolve the problem without surgery. Overweight men may find that losing weight will reduce breast fullness. Costs: Cost is 11-14,000 U.A.E Dirhams depending on the difficulty of each specific case cost includes the operating room charges, anesthesia, surgeon's fee and six months follow up visits. Be sure to: Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements) Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription) Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins. Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery. Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified surgeons who are able to answer specific questions related to |
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