Aesthetic otoplasty

Ears surgery (Aesthetic otoplasty)
If protruding or misshapen ears bother you or your child, you can consider this plastic surgery. Surgery for protruding ears - also known as Aesthetics otoplasty - can improve the shape, position, or the proportions of the ears. The surgery corrects a defect in the structure of the ears present since birth (visible with the development) or treats deformed ears caused by injury. The otoplasty creates a natural shape, giving balance and proportion to the ears and face. The correction of minor deformities can benefit the appearance and self-esteem. It is a procedure relatively simple to solve the problem quickly and with a calm postoperative evolution.

Who is it indicated to?
Adults and children between 5 and 7 years old. In children, this age becomes ideal because it is at that stage that the psychological problems begin (preschool period) and that the ear is fully formed and practically the same as adult size.

• Healthy children, without life-threatening disease or ear chronic infections untreated;
• Generally, five years old children, or when the ear cartilage is already stable enough for correction;
• Cooperative children and that follow medical recommendations;
• Children able to express what they feel and do not express objections during the discussion of the surgery;
• People with very large ears;
• People with protruding ears, which occur on one or both sides in different degrees - not associated with hearing loss;
• Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery.

Preoperative
In the preoperative, you must:
- Not take aspirin and/or derivatives on the days before surgery;
- Communicate the doctor in case of flu, infections or other diseases until the day before surgery;
- Have light diet 2 hours before surgery or keep fasting (if general anesthesia);
- Wash the area to be operated with antiseptic soap before heading for surgery and hair with shampoo the day before;
- Bring light and clothes easy to get dressed.

Anesthesia
In children, usually, the anesthesia is general. In adults, it may be local or general.

Hospitalization
The surgery and the postoperative period are relatively calm and without major risks. The surgery is done in an outpatient basis, and the patient is submitted to the procedure and leaves on the same day.

Based on texts by SBCP.

Operation
The duration of the operation will depend on the degree of difficulty and if the problem is unilateral or bilateral, but usually goes from 1 to 2 hours. After finished the surgery, it is made a scar protection with a small gauze with ointment. It will be removed on the next day. After surgery, it is already observed its result, however, it is noticed the swollen and “hard” ear. It should be normal after 30 days, with some exceptions that may improve the edema sooner or later. There may be an exacerbation of pain sensitivity on the 4 first days, which is taken care of with the simple use of painkillers. The surgery is final, but it should be noted that a slight asymmetry will always remain. Even not operated people with normal ears do not present absolute symmetry.

Even not operated people with normal ears do not present absolute symmetry. Correction of protruding ears uses surgical techniques to create or increase the anti-helix (just inside the surround of the ear) and to reduce the cartilage of the shell (the larger and deeper concavity of the outer ear). The incisions for otoplasty are usually performed behind the ear. When incisions are required in front of the ear, they are made at their surround to hide them. Internally, a non-removable suture is used to create and set the newly shaped cartilage.

It is normal to feel discomfort and pain soon after surgery, being controlled with pain medication.

Postoperative
In the postoperative:
- You must avoid excessive mobilization with the head on the first 4 days;
- You must not lower your head, not expose to sun and local traumatisms on the first days;
- You must be careful when putting on clothes that may pass by the head;
- You are released to wash your hair on the next day;
- There are no stitches to be removed;
- Can return to regular activities as soon as you feel in condition.

Scar
The scar of this surgery is almost invisible as it is located behind the ear, in the furrow formed by this and the skull. Moreover, as it is a very thin skin region, the scar tends to be almost invisible. The otoplasty offers almost immediate results in cases of protruding ears, visible as soon as the dressings that support the new ear shape are removed. As the ear is permanently positioned near the head, surgical scars are hidden behind the ear or in its natural furrows. Surgery results and more extensive reconstruction of the ear may appear over time.

Important: Do not rely on information from well-meaning friends. Get the necessary information directly from the doctor and you will avoid having doubts and anxiety in the postoperative period.

The aesthetic otoplasty is a simple surgery (average duration of 40 minutes), of rapid evolution and high degree of satisfaction. The basic goal is only to reposition the ear next to the skull and model with stitches, ensuring its normality and without stigmatizing with “marks” of fractured cartilage.

There is pain in the postoperative on the first two days, but it is usually taken care of with painkillers. The ears are swollen and purplish more intensely on the first 4 days and it takes about 10 days to normalize.
We do not use dressings, so since the first day of surgery the patient is without any type of dressing over the ears, or needs to use any cover at night; thus, allows a rapid return to daily activities such as working, attending classes, etc. The scar is located in the furrow behind the ear, then being imperceptible and does not require removal of stitches.