Ear Aesthetics (Otoplasty)

The pinna is an aesthetic element located on both sides of the head, as well as collecting sound to be transmitted to the inner ear. If the angle between the auricle and the head is higher than it should be, the ears stand out especially in the front view. This appearance is called “Prominent ear” or “Prominent ear”. The main option in the treatment of this deformity is surgery. The best time for surgery is between the ages of 5-7, when 90 percent of ear growth ends and ear cartilage is flexible enough to be easily shaped. Another reason why this period is the most suitable period for surgery is that the children have not started school yet, and thus they are not a wave element by their friends because of their ears. Although the optimal age range is 5-7, prominent ear deformity can be successfully corrected surgically at any age.

 

Prominent ear surgery (Otoplasty); It takes approximately 1.5 hours (when both ears are intervened) under general anesthesia in children and local anesthesia and sedation (sedative) in adults. In asymmetrical cases with deformity in one ear, the duration is approximately 30-45 minutes. In the surgery, approximately 3.5 cm long incision is made behind the ear, the ear cartilage is separated from the skin and shaped with the necessary suture techniques, and then 2 or 3 stitches are made to create the optimal angle between the auricle and the head. In necessary cases, the earlobe is also fixed by hanging it on the cartilage. At the end of the surgery, a 'tennis band' is attached to the ear for up to 2 weeks and the patient is taken to the bed. While the cases in which general anesthesia is applied are sent home the next day, the patients who are operated under local anesthesia are sent home the same evening.

 

In the control performed on the 3rd or 4th day after the operation, the dressing in the ear is opened and the suture lines are checked. In the 2-week period after this control, the auricle was fixed to the head with a tennis bandage. During this period, it is possible to take a shower by removing the tennis bandage intermittently. Following these post-operative follow-up recommendations carefully is very important to prevent recurrence of prominent ear deformity and is strictly enforced.

 

Otoplasty; It is an operation that provides extremely successful results with minimal pain when applied with the appropriate technique in the right patient.