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Otoplasty

 

Protruding ears or flap-ears is a common deformity that has no influence on the hearing. However this deformity can result in psychological and even social problems from an early age onwards. Luckily, flap-ears can be easily corrected nowadays, under local anaesthesia.

Flap-ears or sticking-out ears are usually the result of a congenital defect of the cartilaginous skeleton of the auricle.

Flap-ears can result in three scenarios:

- When the central fold in the ear, also called the antihelix, is underdeveloped the auricle itself sticks out. In this case the cartilage will need to be remodelled.
- The edge of the ear could also be too short. Small, so-called bowl-shaped ears are the most difficult to correct.
- When the body of the auricle is overdeveloped it results in flap-ears that stick out badly. This type of flap-ears often goes together with the two abnormalities mentioned above.

The surgery

As mentioned above, flap-ears can vary from one person to the next. Otoplasty, or the treatment of flap-ears, is therefore a procedure that is very different for every patient.

Otoplasty is the correction of the shape of the cartilaginous skeleton by means of an incision at the back of the auricle. The surgeon corrects the cartilage, remodels it and sometimes even removes a tiny part of it. This way, the angle of the ear in relation to the head is reduced. Afterwards, the small incision is carefully stitched up and a special bandage is applied so that the ear can heal.

Otoplasty takes about an hour, under local anaesthesia.

Post operative care

You are able to go home immediately after the otoplasty, though you are recommended to rest a few hours with your head kept higher than the rest of your body. The recovery is usually not that painful. If necessary, you can take a mild painkiller (such as Paracetamol).

After the ear correction, a bandage is applied to the head and has to stay on day and night for a week. Ten days after the ear correction, the stitches will be removed. Afterwards, you need to wear a swaddle or a firm tape around the head at night for about three weeks.

Most people who had their flap-ears corrected go back to work after ten days. The first few weeks after the ear correction you should avoid heavy exertions and sports as an increase in blood pressure can cause mild haemorrhaging.

The auricle can be reddish, sensitive and swollen during the first weeks after the ear correction. These symptoms will gradually disappear. Since the incision was made at the back of the auricle you will be left with a small, barely noticeable scar.

About three months after the ear correction you will be able to admire the final result.

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