Otoplasty is a plastic surgery to correct the ears. It is performed to correct the anatomical structure of the ear with the help of a surgical intervention affecting its cartilage and soft tissue. This operation is done both for children and adults. But it should be noted that otoplasty is often recommended to children (from 6 years old) and adolescents, because any imperfections of the auricle (lop-ears, ear lobe defects, etc.) can lead a child to all kinds of complexes.
There are 2 types of otoplasty:
1. Aesthetic otoplasty (plastic surgeon changes only the shape of the ears).
2. Reconstructive otoplasty (a plastic surgeon creates a completely or partially missing auricle).
In what cases do doctors prescribe a plastic operation on the ears? Indications:
- lop-ears;
- irregular ear shape;
- ear lobe defect;
- a large angle between the ear and the occipital part;
- Smoothed front surface of the ear and antifloric;
- partial / complete absence of ear.
Otoplasty is prohibited for oncologically ill people, as well as for those who have difficulty in the process of blood clotting.
Otoplasty procedure
Before a plastic operation on the ears, the patient undergoes a complete examination. Without fail it is necessary to take tests, blood for sugar, to determine the duration and degree of rapidity of coagulation bleeding. The patient should inform the doctor about the illnesses that he has experienced during his life. In addition, the doctor finds out all possible allergic reactions to certain medications.
During surgery, local anesthesia is used for adults, and general anesthesia for children. The methods and techniques used in otoplasty are rather variable and depend on the specific problem. Each plastic surgeon, in accordance with his competence, personal experience, ideas about the aesthetics of the auricles chooses the technique of plastic surgery on the ears.
Currently, the most commonly used techniques of otoplasty are based on the bending of the cartilaginous tissue. An incision is made on the back surface of the ear. Then the cartilage is dissected, and it is bent into the necessary shape for the auricle. At the end of the procedure, seams are applied.
Reconstructive otoplasty is more complicated by its procedure, since it is carried out in 2 stages:
Stage 1. The surgeon forms a subcutaneous container and places the costal cartilage prepared in advance.
2 stage. In the event that the cartilage fragment survives successfully, the skin-covered cartilaginous autotransplant is removed from the subcutaneous sac and the necessary shape of the auricle is formed during its detachment. A cut is made on the back surface of the ear, then the cartilaginous tissue is partially removed and cut by the surgeon. At the end, the seams are applied so that the ear rests on the surface of the skull denser than before.
Usually a plastic operation on the ears lasts up to two hours. All operations are completed by the imposition of sterile head dressings. Over gauze bandages are fixed with a tennis ribbon for the hair. All postoperative scars and scars after otoplasty are not noticeable, since they are in a fold located on the back surface of the ear. Plastic surgery on the ears in no way affects the auditory system.
Rehabilitation after otoplasty
Usually, after this type of plastic surgery, no stay in the clinic is required. The first few days after otoplasty will be postoperative edema. In addition, there may be a painful condition, which is perfectly removed with conventional anesthetic drugs. Every 2-3 days for 2 weeks a patient needs to go to the clinic for regular dressings. This will also allow the doctor to monitor the healing process. Usually, after otoplasty, the seams are not removed, because they are made with special threads, easily resorbable. But if the seams are made with normal threads, then they are removed on the 8-10th day after the operation. For 7 days after plastic surgery on the ears, the bandage should be worn for correct fixation of the auricles. In a couple of days you can return to normal life. The result of otoplasty remains for life.
Possible complications after otoplasty
Complications after otoplasty occur only in 0, 5% of cases. But even in cases of deterioration, the severity of hearing does not decrease. Complications include:
- Departure of the ear;
- formation of coarse scars;
- suppuration;
- joint rupture.