Otoplasty - Ear Surgery
"Surgery of the prominent ears", brings a correction of malformations of the auricle of the ear in order to reshape it when the ear is protruding.
This is one of the few acts of cosmetic surgery performed in a child from the age of 7, or even an adult who wants to put an end to an aesthetic damage sometimes very difficult to live with because of mockery.
Anatomical Reminder
The helix, is the rounded edge of the auricle of the ear. Slightly folded inwards, it forms a kind of roll.
The concha is the hollow part that leads to the external auditory canal (CAE);
The antihelix is the area of semicircular shape located on the periphery of the external auditory canal, at the back of the concha of the ear;
The tragus is a small cartilaginous projection that protects the concha and the opening of the external auditory canal;
Finally, the lobule forms the most flexible part of the auricle, in the lower part.
Three types of abnormalities, sometimes associated, can lead to protruding ears:
A defect in the plicating of the antihelix: there is actually no fold, so the auricle is straighter instead of forming an inward curve;
A valgus of the cartilage of the concha (it is not hollow) or hypertrophy (its size is excessive): this results in projecting the ear forward;
A valgus of the lobule: the lobe is too prominent.
These abnormalities may be present on one or both ears.
Preoperative consultation
The cosmetic surgeon carefully examines the ears using photographies to determine the changes to be made.
A blood test is carried out in accordance with the prescriptions.
It is recommended that the patient stops smoking for 1 month before and after the operation as well as any medication containing aspirin during the 10 days preceding the day of surgery.
Operation
Depending on the nature of the abnormalities of the auricle to be treated, the operation of surgery of the isolated protruding ears lasts 30 minutes and 1 h 30 for an otoplasty of both ears, it takes place under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia when the patient is a child and needs a stay in the clinic.
The cosmetic surgeon, proceeds by making a skin incision on the retro-auricular groove, at the back of the ear. In addition, short additional incisions are sometimes made on the front of the pavilion and will be hidden at the level of the natural folds so that they stay invisible.
Then, it will peel off the skin on a more or less important area according to the needs to be able to access the cartilage that will be reshaped using different methods, sometimes combined:
Stenström's method by reshaping the cartilage,
The technique of Mustardé and Furnas, which consists in laying non-absorbable stitches.
Finally, the incisions are sutured and a bandage is put in place with compresses held by elastic bands around the head.
Surgical follow-up
The pains of this operation, are moderate and relieved by an analgesic treatment.
The ears, will often be swollen, the reliefs are hidden by an edema and sometimes bruises with an auricle that will remain sensitive for several weeks.
For a few weeks, the patient sleeps on his back rather than on his side.
In order to limit the risk of infection, it is not recommended that the patient wears earrings or headphones for two weeks.
Result
A period of 2 months, is necessary to assess the final aesthetic result of otoplasty.
This procedure, would often allow an effective correction of the anomalies of the ears that would normally be positioned and oriented,
Perfectly plicated,
Symmetrical,
And have a natural size and appearance.
Complications
The main complication of this intervention, is related to the occurrence of a postoperative bleeding that may lead to the formation of a hematoma. The latter, may sometimes require a re-intervention to evacuate it.
Very rarely, other complications can occur such as an infection which symptoms pain and inflammation of the auricle for which antibiotic treatment is prescribed.
Sensory disorders, on the scar
Necrosis with a destruction of the cartilage of the ear that would be deformed.
