Ear aesthetics (otoplasty) is a procedure performed to narrow the angle of the ears with the head, correct folds, or eliminate shape deformities. The most commonly used methods are classical surgery and thread suspension (non-surgical) technique.
✓What is Prominent Ear?
Prominent ear is a condition caused by insufficient development of the Y-shaped cartilage fold found in the protruding scoop-shaped part of the ear. Because the cartilage tissue does not develop sufficiently, the angle that should form between it and the skull widens, and the ear projection begins to tilt forward. As a result, the ears appear open at a wider angle. The angle between the ear and the head region is normally 30 degrees. When compared with these given values, the appearance of larger angles indicates that there is a prominent ear problem.
✓How Does Prominent Ear Deformity Develop?
It develops mainly due to genetic factors, but trauma during and after birth can also cause prominent ear deformity.
✓What is Prominent Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)?
Otoplasty is an ear reshaping operation performed to eliminate the prominent ear appearance, large ear appearance, and insufficient folds in the ear scapha.
✓The primary cause of the deformity is the excessive angle of the space between the ear and the head. This causes the ear to appear wider. In the treatment phase of this prominent ear problem, effective sutures are placed at the junction to reduce the excessive angle between the ear and the head, bringing the ear projection closer to the head region. This narrows the angle between them.
✓The second issue is the absence of the folds that should be present on the ear. In this problem, the ear appears flat as if ironed. Through the application of effective and strong sutures to the area of the ear projection where folds are desired, the cartilage structure is bent. As a result of this procedure, the flat appearance of the ear is eliminated.
✓How is Otoplasty Surgery Performed?
While the surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia in adults, it is performed under general anesthesia in children. The incision is made from the fold behind the ear. The incision is not visible from the front, so the sutures remain on the back of the ear. There are many different surgical techniques for correcting prominent ear. In children or young patients, because cartilage flexibility is high, reshaping can be done with sutures. To give the cartilage the desired shape, certain areas are marked and can be folded, weakened by thinning; if there is excess cartilage or soft tissue, it can be removed. At the end of the surgery, dressing is applied to apply light pressure over the newly reshaped ear scapha.
On the first day after surgery, the patient is examined and the dressing is changed or removed. After surgery, there is usually no severe pain; mild pain that can be controlled with painkillers can be expected.
A head bandage is applied day and night for 1 week; in the following weeks, the head bandage is requested to be worn only at night.
Children will be ready to return to school after 1 week, while adults can return to work earlier.
Physical activity is restricted for 10 to 14 days, and contact sports are restricted for at least 2 months.
Follow-ups planned more frequently in the first weeks after surgery are generally repeated at the 3rd and 12th months.