Otoplasty or ear surgery is the operation that resolves the deformity of the ears for aesthetic purposes.
There are several types. The first is the correction of protruding ears, which involves decreasing the angle of the outer ear by means of permanent sutures. The second type is otoplasty reduction in cases of large ears which, depending on the need, may include cutting and removal of excess cartilage from the outer ear structure or frame and repositioning the ear at the optimal angle and position. Finally, there is also the possibility of undertaking complex reconstructions.
Protruding Ears Surgery
Protruding ears have caused many conflicts and psychological trauma for many in their childhood. It is well known that the childhood can be tough enough as it is than to have to support to be criticized or even worse to be bulled at for a fiscal defect such as protruding ears. This kind of bulling often leave bad memories and low self-esteem that one have to struggle with even as an adult.
But it does exist a solution… for both children and adults! The surgery is called Otoplasty and also Pinnaplasty for protruding ears problem and it is a very simple surgery, which can be practiced with local anesthesia. It is done by an incision just behind the ear in the natural fold where the ear meets the head. Cartilage and skin are then removed from the ear to achieve the desired effect.
The patient can go straight back to his and her normal life after the operation, however no sport or exercise is recommended than at least 15-20 days after the intervention.
Surgery for Reduction of Big Ears
Sometimes the problem is not a protrusion of the ears but an excess of the ears. In other words, the ears are too big or too long for ones face and it causes dis harmony.
The procedure called “Ear reduction” solves this problem by removing the excess and defining the ears in a more harmonious way. The intervention can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia depending on every patients need.
This is also one of these gratifying operations where the aesthetic results are amazing and the patient can go back to his and her normal life only a couple of days after the operation.
Ear Reconstruction
Ear reconstruction is considered as one of the most challenging operations in plastic surgery.
Some patients has an underdeveloped ear at birth (a condition known as microtia) and others have lost a normal ear through trauma, disease or previous surgery or other physical deformities, which can be solved surgically.
The improvement after the operation is often striking not only for the patient’s well being and increased self-esteem but also for the splendid result.