OTOPLASTY (EAR SURGERY)

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WHAT IS OTOPLASTY SURGERY?CANDIDATES FOR OTOPLASTY RECOVERY RISKS AND SAFETY

WHAT IS OTOPLASTY?

Otoplasty, also known as ear surgery, can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear.

Otoplasty can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth that becomes apparent with development or it can treat misshapen ears caused by injury.

Ear surgery creates a more natural shape, while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound beneﬁts to appearance and self-esteem.

If protruding or disﬁgured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery.

Otoplasty is used to treat the following:

Overly large ears — a condition called macrotia
Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees — not associated with hearing loss
Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery

WHO ARE CANDIDATES FOR OTOPLASTY?

Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

Healthy, without a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
Generally 5 years old, or when a child's ear cartilage is stable enough for correction
Cooperative and follow instructions well
Able to communicate their feelings and do not voice objections when surgery is discussed

Teenagers and adults who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
Nonsmokers
Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for ear surgery

Ear surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else's desires or to try to ﬁt any sort of ideal image.

RECOVERY

Discomfort immediately following ear surgery is normal and can be controlled with pain medication. There may be an itchy feeling under bandages. It is essential that bandages remain intact and are not removed, for any reason. Failure to do so may result in loss of some of the correction and may require a secondary surgery.

Be sure to ask Doctor van Rooyen questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.

Please take note of the following:

Your surgery will take place at the Cure Day Clinic Erasmuskloof.
The bandages will be removed after 2 weeks. Please contact the practice to schedule this appointment.

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee of complete satisfaction with the results. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.

OTOPLASTY RESULTS

Ear surgery offers almost immediate results in cases of protruding ears, visible when the dressings that support the new shape of the ear during initial phases of healing are removed. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well hidden within the natural creases of the ear.

The results of more extensive ear surgery and reconstruction may appear in stages over time.

RISKS AND SAFETY

The decision to have plastic surgery is extremely personal and you will have to weigh the potential benefits in achieving your goals with the risks and potential complications of ear surgery. Only you can make that decision for yourself.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo, the alternatives and the most likely risks and potential complications.

Possible otoplasty surgery risks include:

Bleeding (hematoma)
Blood clots
Asymmetry
Infection
Poor wound healing
Change in skin sensation
Skin contour irregularities
Skin discoloration/swelling
Anesthesia risks
Unfavorable scarring
Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
Pain, which may persist
Possibility of revisional surgery

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It is important that you address all your questions directly with your with Dr van Rooyen.

Following his instructions is key to the success of your surgery. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, sunlight or tanning bed light, abrasion or motion during the time of healing. Dr van Rooyen will give you speciﬁc instructions on how to care for yourself.

It's very important to follow his instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.

[Unattributed]: Citing Sources: [https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/ear-surgery/safety]:[Jan 09, 2018]

* Some information in this article may have been replaced or altered in some way in order to provide information to our patients that agrees with our practice methods.