Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Otoplasty, or ear correction surgery, is a cosmetic surgical procedure which repairs the shape, protrusion, size and position of the ear. The term also covers other surgeries related to congenital deformities.

Otoplasties are usually performed on children, but a significant number of adults are also electing to have the surgery to resolve various conditions affecting them such as lop ear, overly large lobes and shell ears.

The high visibility of ears makes any deformity very prominent, and this creates a compelling social-driven pressure for people to take otoplasty.

Various methods are utilised to perform the surgery, but in almost every case, it involves an incision made at the concealed crease at the back of the ear. It’s then sealed with a suture and a padded dressing is placed there to absorb any bleeding.

Post-Surgery Care

Otoplasty is performed under local anaesthesia for children and general anaesthesia for adults. The procedure typically takes a couple of hours, and patients are rarely hospitalised. Once surgery is completed, patients will have a large bandage wrapped around their head. Not only will the dressing help with the healing and prevent infection, it also secures the reconstructed ears firmly into place.

After 24 hours, the bandage is removed and replaced with something smaller. Doctors will usually, and correctly, tell patients to take plenty of rest and drink lots of fluid to speed up the recovery. Doctors will also prescribe patients with mild painkillers, but otoplasty seldom cause patients pain.

Risks

Otoplasty has the highest rate of secondary bleeding among all cosmetic surgery procedures, at 2%, so please refrain from participating in any strenuous activity and doing anything that compromises the integrity of the bandage. Aside from that, ears are prone to minor infections at the cartilage area – so please take your antibiotics as prescribed to prevent the healing process from slowing down.