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Otoplasty
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.
All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk
A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle. Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected area.
Planning for surgery
Most surgeons recommend that parents stay alert to their child’s feelings about protruding ears; don’t insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome. In the initial meeting, we will evaluate your child’s condition, or yours if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. He or she will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.
About the operation
Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in the clinic. Occasionally, if the procedure is done as an inpatient procedure, you can plan on staying overnight in the hospital. If your child is young, we may recommend general anesthesia, so the child will sleep through the operation. For older children or adults, we use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed. Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours. The technique will depend on the problem. The commonest technique consists of making a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. The cartilage is sculpted and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Another technique involves a non-scar procedure. The ear is bent with buried stitches and no skin is removed. The technique is simpler and mainly indicated for minor anomalies. The disadvantage is that stitches can loose and classic technique should be done in this case. In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.
Getting back to normal
Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery, although you may prefer to stay overnight in the hospital with a child until all the effects of general anesthesia wear off. The patient’s head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication. Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow we’s directions for wearing this dressing, especially at night. Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week. Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they’re careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child’s teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.
Other ear problems
Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These include: “lop ear,” when the tip seems to fold down and forward; “cupped ear,” which is usually a very small ear; and “shell ear,” when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury. Sometimes, however, the correction can leave a scar that’s worse than the original problem. Ask we about the effectiveness of surgery for your specific case.
More natural-looking ears
Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery. But keep in mind, the goal is improvement, not perfection. Don’t expect both ears to match perfectly-perfect symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural in ears. If you’ve discussed the procedure and your expectations with the surgeon before the operation, chances are, you’ll be quite pleased with the result.
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Published on 21-10-2009 by Dr. Benito
In the category Treatments
With tags: orejas, treatments-plastic-aesthetic-surgery
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21 / Feb
carmen said…
estoy interesada en una operacion para pegar mis orejas y me gustaria saber el coste.gracias
21 / Feb
AGB said…
Hola Carmen,
Gracias por visitar nuestra web. Respecto a su pregunta, depende de la complejidad de la operación, es decir, lo que haya que hacer para recolocar las orejas, pero suele estar alrededor de los 2000 euros…Esto es algo que podemos confirmar en consulta.
Un cordial saludo,
Dr. Benito.
01 / Jul
roger said…
quiero operarme las orejas.
Solo quiero cerrarlas un poco para que no esten tan salidas.
que coste tiene mas o menos??
Dond puedo pedir hora para informarme??
Gracias de antemano.
02 / Jul
AGB said…
Hola Roger,
Gracias por visitar nuestra web. Puede pedir hora en el 93 252 23 49. El coste depende de lo que haya que hacer, algo que determino en consulta, pero está alrededor de los 2000 euros.
Un cordial saludo,
Dr. Benito
01 / Dec
carmen said…
hola quisiera saber si haceb cirugia del agujero de las orejas q del tiempo o del peso q no lo se se me han hecho mas grandes y no me puedo poner pendientes por q se me caen y cuanto es el valos de la cirugia?
Gracias
02 / Dec
AGB said…
Hola Carmen
La cirugía consiste en cerrar el agujero quitando un poco de piel. Al mes puede volver a perforarse las orejas. Se hace con anestesia local y cuesta unos 600€ (las dos),
Un cordial saludo,
Dr. Benito
07 / Feb
Roger said…
Quisiera saber el tiempo mas o menos de recuperacion en una operacion para juntar las orejas??
Me comentan que tienes que estar con la cabeza bendada unos 20 dias??
Gracias
09 / Feb
AGB said…
Hola Roger,
Nosotros dejamos el vendaje sólo 24 horas pero después hay que proteger las orejas con una cinta deportiva mientras esté en casa y durante la noche. Las orejas estarán inflamadas durante 1-2 semanas y pueden estar rojas durante este tiempo. Hay que evitar los deportes de contacto durante 5-6 semanas.
Un cordial saludo
Dr. Benito
09 / Apr
maura said…
quisiera saber coste y procedimiento para cerrar un poco el agujero de la oreja donde llevo el pendiente ya que desde chica se me ha agrandado.
10 / Apr
AGB said…
Estimada Maura.
Muchas gracias por visitar nuestra web. La operación consiste en cerrar la hendidura. Al mes de la intervención, usted podrá ponerse de nuevo el pendiente. Cuesta unos 300 euros.
Si está interesada, por favor rellene el formulario de Pide cita y nos pondremos en contacto con usted.
Saludos cordiales.
Dr. Benito