What Is Otoplasty And How Is It Done?

Post Date: 8/21/2020

Otoplasty is an ear aesthetic operation performed to improve the appearance of the ears, both functionally and aesthetically. With this operation, the shape, size, and position of the ears are changed, and its appearance and function are improved in accordance with the face dimensions. However, it does not change places of the ears and does not affect our hearing. A defect in the outer ear, caused by injury or birth defect, can be reshaped by otoplasty. Especially in children, otoplasty is used to correct the distant ears.

Otoplastyis common in childhood but is an operation that can be applied to patients of any age. It can be done as soon as the ear reaches the full size (approximately 5 years old) in children. Sometimes, in emergency situations, these operations can be withdrawn until the age of 3. Any person over the age of five who does not have a serious illness, and smoke can be a candidate for this operation. Otoplasty can be performed due to the ears being distant from the face, one or both ears protruding from the side, drooping ears, shrunken ears, asymmetrical ears, excessive size of the ears according to their face size, deformities in various outer ears and inadequate results of previous otoplasty.

In the event that the ears stand out more than 2 centimeters from the edge of the head, it will appear more prominent to the eye. This situation may cause peer bullying, especially in children, and cause damage to self-esteem. Shape and size disorders in the ears often affect self-confidence and cause them to try to hide their ears. With otoplasty, the ears are balanced according to their facial proportions and drawn to normal sizes. Ears that have a more natural look will attract less attention. It helps to regain self-esteem and increase self-esteem with the ears, which are brought to the most appropriate dimensions according to the anatomical structure of the patient.

Otoplasty is important to have realistic expectations for the results and to convey special concerns to the doctor. Do not hesitate to ask your questions when you need more information without leaving room for uncertainty. If you have the right information about your medical history, you should inform your doctor about your ear disorders and medications you use. Your doctor will examine your ear physically and measure your face and its symmetry by measuring. The current condition of your ears will be photographed as a reference for comparison with the change that will occur after the intervention.

There are several different methods used in ear surgery: sometimes, for small ears that are not developed, an ear enlargement operation is performed by enlarging the outer ear size. Ear reduction surgery is performed by reducing the size of the ears of people with large ears according to face size. In other words, the ears that are referred to as scoop ears are brought closer to the head and the ear fixing operation is performed.

Otoplasty operations can be performed under general anesthesia. General anesthesia is mostly recommended for children. The techniques to be used during the operation may change according to the type of otoplasty you have. The plastic surgeon will give the cartilage a form to reconstruct the missing folds and position your ear close to your head. Depending on the technique chosen by your surgeon, the incision site may be behind your ear or in the folds in your ear. If necessary, cartilage and skin can be removed in your ear. Cartilage is brought to the correct position and shaped by folding it with permanent stitches or cartilage is instilled into the ear, and the ear tissue is manipulated. The operation is completed by closing the incision site with stitches.

Otoplasty is a surgical aesthetic method with high satisfaction and highly successful results. As it is related to appearance, it has an effect that increases the quality of life, especially in the development of self-esteem in children. If the age is appropriate, it is also important that the operation request comes from the child. The child should be informed about this issue and should be informed about the expectations.