Ear Surgery
Are you thinking of an ear surgery?
Ear surgeries that are often performed on children or teenagers but it is important for parents to comprehend the real psychical effects of prominent ears on the child. It is important not to rush a child into an operation if it is satisfied with its appearance. The children that are dissatisfied with their look because of prominent ears are more susceptible for a surgery and therefore more likely to be happy with the results. In the first interview the doctor evaluates the scope of the operation and gives you or the parent(s) necessary instruction regarding preparation and explains the surgery procedure.
Is an ear surgery the solution for you or your child?
Bandages are wrapped around the head after the surgery to support the new form of the ear and to hasten recovery. Older teenagers and adults are usually able to leave the clinic a few hours after surgery. Children who need anesthesia usually need two to three hours under surveillance until the anesthetic effects have subsided. It is likely that the patients feels some pain after the surgery but they can be diminished with pain killers. The bandages are replaced after a few days with lighter bandages. It is common to use sport bandages while the wounds are still healing to support the new form of the ears.
It is important to follow the instructions of your doctor thoroughly, especially regarding the bandages at night. Usually stitches are used to deteriorate and disappear in four to six weeks. To secure recovery it is important to participate in sports and games that require physical strength as it is possible that the ears could be hit. Most adults can go back to work in a few days and children can go to school after a week approximately. They do have to take good care in sports and games for the next weeks.
Risk factors
Problems after ear surgeries are rare and usually minor. However, risk is involved in all surgeries, like bleeding and infections although it does not happen often. Every now and then problems related to ear surgeries can occur, like rejection of inner stitches.
To decide a surgery
Those who decide to have an ear surgery are in most cases happy with the result. The aim of the surgery is to improve the appearance and indisposition that is a direct result of prominent ears. Therefore it is important that expectations are in context with a likely outcome of the surgery. For example, it is not always the case that the right and the left ear are exactly positioned the same way. If your expectations are likely to match the original goal, then there is a good possibility that both the patient (when a child) and the parents are happy with the results. Top of page
Preparation, surgery and anesthesia
The patient does not require an anesthesia in ear surgery although they are used for younger children (not for teenagers and adults, local anesthetic is then used). During surgery the doctor opens an incision behind the ear to reach the cartilage. It is then formed and moved closer to the head or a part of it removed. Finally the incision is stitched up. The surgery leaves a little scar behind the ear that is can hardly be seen and is barely visible in time.
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