Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that aims to improve appearance and physical functions or to reduce scars resulting from accidents, illnesses or birth defects. The word plastic comes from the Greek word meaning “model”. Otoplasty is the ear surgery performed to resolve large or disproportionate ears and bring them closer to the head.
Who is not a suitable candidate for Otoplasty?
Because the two ears of a person are not identical or completely symmetrical, patients who want to remodel their ears must understand that the intervention will not give them identical or perfect ears. That is why otoplasty is contraindicated to those who do not have realistic expectations or who do not follow the post operative indications.
Patients who have previously developed keloid or hypertrophic scars on the ear or other area of the body need to understand that they can have them after otoplasty surgery. Children who have ear infections should wait for them to be healed before carrying out the surgery.
What types of ears can be corrected by otoplasty?
General types of ear problems:
- “Cup ear,” parts of the external ear develop irregularly, so that the ear comes out
- “Bat ear” when the ear grows perpendicular to the head instead of being parallel to it
- The enlarged ear lobe.;
- “cauliflower ear”, caused by a trauma or inflammation.
- Deformed appearance of the shape, folds or insufficient ear growth;
- “phone ear” – the middle part is closer to the head, the ear has a shape like a phone.
- -Macrotia (too big ears).
- -Microtia (too small ears).;
- – “shell ear” (folds and creases missing).
PREOPERATIVE CONSIDERATIONS
Consulting a plastic surgeon is the first step. The patient, or when it is the case of a child, parents, will be honest about their expectations and the pre- and postoperative mental state, remembering that the result will be an improvement rather than perfection. The surgeon will explain the factors involved in making the decision for surgery. This will be done after 5 years of age when ear development is almost complete. When dysmorphism is severe, it is recommended that surgery be carried out earlier to avoid emotional stress when the child goes to school. After examining it, the surgeon will explain the details of your case including the