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Ear Surgery
(Otoplasty)
Ear Surgery | Procedure | Recovery
Ear surgery is designed to reposition or "pin back" protruding ears. Before birth, everyone's ears project straight out from the head, but by the ninth month they usually assume a position closer to the head and develop natural folds. This developmental process is incomplete in some persons and results in prominent ears that lack the usual folds. Ear surgery positions the ears closer to the head and creates folds by placing sutures in the cartilage so they heal in the desired position. Even though only one ear may appear to protrude excessively, it is usually necessary to correct both in order to get the desired result.
Ear surgery is most commonly performed during childhood, before the child begins school. The ears reach about 90 percent of their adult size by age six, so little growth of the ears occurs after this time. While ear surgery is more common with children, an increasing number of adults want surgical help to produce ears that are in harmony with the rest of the face.
Understanding the procedure
At English Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery Center, the client is given local anesthesia with I.V. sedation. Ear surgery commonly takes from one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the case. In most
procedures, the incisions made to reposition the ears are placed behind the ears. The resulting thin scars are usually inconspicuous.
Understanding the recovery
After surgery, a wraparound bandage is applied over both ears. It is worn for one to three days. After this bandage is removed, the client wears a protective headband for at least two weeks over the top part of the upper ears. The bruising that results from ear surgery resolves within six weeks. Swelling gradually subsides over a two to three month period. Areas of numbness, firmness, and tenderness around the ears are common. Normal sensations return several weeks to months following surgery.
Most adult clients return to work within a few days of the surgery. Children return to school within a week. Complications as a result of ear surgery are uncommon.
Certain activities are restricted after ear surgery to allow for optimum healing. Because of numbness, caution is advised when using curling irons or hair dryers. Hair cannot be colored or permed for at least six weeks following surgery. Lifting, bending and any activity that puts strain on the incisions are avoided for three to four weeks after surgery. Tugging on the ears must be avoided for at least four to six months. Eyeglasses are worn with care for at least three to six weeks because of the placement of the incisions.
The best results following ear surgery are seen in three to six months, when relaxation of the ear and soft tissues is usually complete. As with all surgeries, the best outcome is achieved when the client follows all directions and cautions provided by the surgeon.
Visit our plastic / cosmetic surgery office located in Little Rock, Arkansas (AR).
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