Ear Aesthetics (Otoplasty)
While prominent ear pathology has a negative impact on the person's appearance, it also draws attention in society. 85% of ear development is completed by the age of 3, while the remaining 15% development is completed by the age of 7-8. The average width of the auricle is 3.5 cm and the height is 6.5 cm. Children begin to be aware of their own body appearance around the age of 4-5. In this regard, performing ear aesthetic operations at the age of 4-5 is also suitable for the psychology of children. We can see the same pathology in later ages.
External ear aesthetic surgery, technically known as otoplasty, is performed to create a more natural and harmonious ear shape to ensure the harmony and proportion of the face with the ear. This type of surgery is performed only with regional (local) anesthesia, where the person is awake, with intravenous sedation anesthesia, where the person is half-asleep, with drugs administered intravenously, and with general anesthesia, where the person is completely put to sleep. General anesthesia is preferred in children. Since the cartilage is elastic at a young age, we prefer cartilage protective techniques, and at later ages, we prefer more invasive techniques for the hardening of the cartilage. Before the surgery, the pathology in the outer ear is analyzed in detail and the necessary measurements are made and noted. The patient's expectations should be discussed with a realistic approach and then the decision for surgery should be made. The operation is typically performed through an incision in the back aspect of the outer ear, where cartilage is removed or repositioned with surgical permanent threads.
What is our purpose in “Prominent/Flail Ear” surgery?
These surgeries, called "otoplasty", are plastic surgery procedures that improve the abnormal appearance of the patient's ears. These surgeries aim to make the ear look more normal with various surgical techniques, which can be explained as re-creating the underdeveloped folds in the auricle, removing excess cartilage in certain areas to make it look normal, correcting the wide angle of the earlobe in relation to the scalp, and bringing the large-sized auricle to normal size.
Is there pain during the surgery?
Ear plastic surgery can be performed in adults under local anesthesia, which only numbs the ear and its surrounding area, along with sedation anesthesia by giving intravenous medication, or general anesthesia, which is completely anesthetized. On the other hand, general anesthesia is preferred in children. Therefore, there is no pain during the surgery.
How long does ear plastic surgery take? Where is the incision made?
These are surgeries that usually last 1-1.5 hours. The incision is usually made on the invisible back side of the auricle. Aesthetically, noticing the incision does not cause any problems as there will be very little scarring in the future.
What is the post-operative process?
Immediately after surgery, an ear wrap is applied for at least 48 hours to ensure that your ears maintain their new shape and to prevent excessive pressure and stress on the surgery area during the critical healing period. This dressing is then opened and checked to prevent any abnormal situation. Then, the bandage is removed and an athlete's band is placed over the ears and used 24/7 for at least 15 days, only 7/12 hours the next week. Since aesthetic stitches will be placed during the surgery, there is no need to remove the stitches. You can go home a few hours after your surgery. In order to minimize swelling and discomfort in the operated area, try to position your head so that it is higher than your body and does not lie on your ears.
When can you see your new ear shape?
After the ear bandage is removed during dressing, you can see the new shape your ear has taken. However, since there will be some swelling in the ears, they may seem larger than normal. However, after about 2-3 weeks, you will notice a better appearance as these swellings will disappear. It may take up to 4-6 months for the swelling to disappear completely.
When can I return to work after surgery?
You can return to your workplace after about 1 week by wearing an athlete's bandage. Wearing a beret over the athlete's bandage, especially in winter months, will camouflage this bandage. You can start light sports such as walking, yoga, pilates and jogging one month after the surgery.
Earlobe aesthetics (lobuloplasty)
There may be some undesirable pathological conditions in the earlobe. These; We can say that it is prominently raised forward and outwards, the width/height ratio of the lobule is too high in favor of height and looks elongated downwards, the earlobe in women is slit-shaped as a result of earrings cutting, or the earlobe is disproportionately wide due to familial characteristics in young people. These undesirable appearances on the earlobe have a negative psychological effect on the person. On the other hand, as we get older, our earlobes may look like they have extended downwards and lost their elastic structure. Surgical procedures can be performed for rejuvenation in these people. Additionally, during facelift operations, when the incisions are closed with stitches, excessive forward and downward traction may be applied to the earlobe without being noticed. This situation may again lead to undesirable appearances in the earlobe. For all the unwanted appearances listed above, you can get rid of such problems under clinical conditions with local anesthesia and approximately 30-minute plastic surgery techniques.
Incisionless Otoplasty
Incisionless otoplasty is a convenient minimally invasive surgery technique that was first developed in the 1990s and has fewer undesirable side effects and a shorter recovery time than the classical otoplasty technique. Here, no incision is made, only the auricle is brought to the desired anatomical shape and fixed with surgical threads. The procedure takes 15 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia. However, sedation anesthesia is preferred in children. The earlier the procedure is performed, that is, when the cartilage has elasticity, the more successful it will be. We recommend our patients to use a hair band for at least 1 month when they come for a check-up a week after the procedure.