OTOPLASTY
(surgery of the external ear)

Questions and Answers

The ear is one of the parts of the human body that may carry a familial trait: “His ears are like his father’s”! Protruding ears are often common to several members of a family, and can be an object of teasing and ridicule during childhood. This can cause lasting emotional scars and adversely affect the child’s behavior and social interaction.

The best time for pin back otoplasty (correction of “sticking out” ears) is between the ages of five and seven, not only because the ears are completely formed and almost fully grown by age four, but also to avoid possible psychological problems for the child in this preschool period and when he or she enters school. The following are questions commonly asked at the initial consultation:
 
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Q: DOES PIN BACK OTOPLASTY LEAVE ANY SCARS?

A: The scar from this surgery is well hidden behind the ear, in the crease where the ear meets the skull. Furthermore, since the skin in this area is very thin, the scar itself is likely to become almost imperceptible, even with certain techniques that use small incisions in the front side of the ear.

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Q: WHAT TYPE OF ANESTHESIA IS USED?

A: For children: general. For adults: local, with or without sedation at the surgeon’s discretion.

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Q: WHAT IS THE LENGTH OF HOSPITALIZATION?

A: 12-24 hours, depending on the type of anesthesia and the patient’s age.

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Q: HOW LONG DOES THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE TAKE?

A: It usually takes 90-120 minutes. However, the operating time should not be confused with the length of stay in the Surgery Center, which also involves both preparation for anesthesia and post-operative recovery. Your surgeon can tell you the total amount of time.

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Q: ARE THERE ANY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SURGERY?

A: The risks are neither higher nor lower than those associated with a car or plane trip, or even crossing a street – ordinary risks we are used to facing every day.

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Q: IS THE POST-OPERATIVE PERIOD PAINFUL?

A: Any pain or discomfort that may occur in the post-operative period can be relieved with common analgesics.

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Q: WHAT TYPE OF DRESSING IS USED?

A: The scar is protected by small dressings. A turban-type dressing bandage, placed around the head and ears, is worn during the first days (especially by children) to prevent any traumatic injury to the surgical sites. In some cases, the wearing of a ballet- or tennis-type headband is recommended.

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Q: WHEN WILL THE STITCHES BE REMOVED? DOES IT HURT?

A: EAround the eighth day. Removal of the stitches is painless.

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Q: WHEN WILL I SEE THE DEFINITE RESULT?

A: When the dressing is removed, about 80% of the desired result will have been achieved, and you will see the definite result 12 weeks afterwards.

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Q: CAN THE “STICKING OUT EAR” PROBLEM RECUR AFTER THIS SURGERY?

A: Once the operation has been properly done, the result will be permanent. It is worth pointing out that slight asymmetry is to be expected. Perfect symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural, even in people with normal ears that have never been operated on.

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INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING PIN BACK OTOPLASTY

BEFORE SURGERY:

  • Contact your surgeon in case of flu, infection, etc., up to the day before your surgery.
  • Enter the hospital or clinic at the time scheduled for your admission.
  • Do not eat or drink anything during the 8-12 hours immediately before your admission.
  • Wash your hair the day before.
  • If you have long hair, keep it long, for it will help conceal the dressings in the first days after surgery.
AFTER SURGERY:
  • Avoid cold, sunlight, or traumatic injuries at the surgical site for 10 days.
  • Return to your surgeon’s office for post-operative control on the days prescribed by the nurse.
  • Follow your doctor’s instructions.
  • You may return to your school, professional, etc., activities 4-5 days after surgery.
  • Free diet from the second day – mainly proteins (meat, milk, eggs) and vitamins (fruit).
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