Ear surgery – Otoplasty
The most common ear correction procedure is to ‘pin back’ protruding ears. Infrequently, treatments to alter the size of the ear or earlobes are also performed. In cases of protruding ears, the cartilage on either one or both ears is either not folded in enough, swollen and/or slightly over-developed. Treatment can be performed from the age of 5.
In ear correction, the cartilage is generally detached through a cut in the back of the concha, the cartilage structure then weakened by tiny incisions, possibly strips of cartilage are removed, cartilage swelling reshaped and, finally, the ear itself fixed to the head at an optically appropriate angle. Occasionally, a thin strip of skin from the back of the concha may have to be removed as well
Further information
Treatment and operation preparation: Obtain timely, comprehensive medical advice and risk awareness, including a full medical check-up with blood evaluation, ECG, and possibly an ENT examination.
Duration of operation: 45-90 minutes
Anaesthesia: Local, sometime twilight, rarely general
Staying at the clinic: Mostly outpatient
Work incapacity: 1 week
Social capacity: After 1 week
Sport: After 4 weeks, depending on type of sport
Sun-bathing and solarium: After 4 weeks
Sauna: After 4 weeks
After care: Ear and head bandages for up to 2 weeks, antibiotics, scar care.
Durability: Long-term
Special risks: Secondary bleeding, bruising, cartilage inflammation, keloid, numbness following excessive bandage pressure.
Cost absorption: Possibly covered by health insurance; easier in child cases.