About Prominent Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Prominent ear surgery (otoplasty) is an aesthetic surgical procedure performed to correct the shape of the ears and give them a more natural appearance. This operation is usually performed because of a congenital problem or as a result of the shape of the ears changing over time. Prominent ears are ears that stand out too far from the surface of the head. This often leads to aesthetic concerns and can affect a person's self-confidence.

Prominent ear surgery can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. During the operation, the skin behind the ear is incised and the ear cartilage is reached. The cartilage is given a special shape to make it more harmonious with the rest of the ear. The incisions behind the ear are then closed with stitches. After the operation, the patient's ears are wrapped in a protective bandage.

The healing process after prominent ear surgery is quite fast. Immediately after surgery, the patient's head is wrapped in a bandage, which is worn for a few days as protection. Patients are advised to keep their heads elevated for the first few days after surgery. Pain after surgery may be mild and can usually be controlled with medication. After a few days, patients can return to their daily activities. It is recommended to avoid activities such as sport, heavy lifting or swimming for a few weeks.

Prominent ear surgery is generally performed successfully and gives permanent results. After surgery, the ears take on a more natural and aesthetic appearance and the person's self-confidence increases.

Who Can Have Prominent Ear Correction?

Prominent ear surgery is an aesthetic surgical procedure performed to correct the shape of the ears and give them a more natural appearance. The most suitable candidates are people who are bothered by the shape of their ears, whose self-confidence has been affected, and who wish to achieve a more aesthetic appearance as a result of surgery.

Prominent ear surgery can generally be performed from childhood onwards. Children's ears can be corrected before their development is complete, and the results are permanent. However, for a child to have surgery, it is generally expected that the ears are fully developed, which may be at around 5-6 years of age.

Adults can also have prominent ear surgery. The success of the operation depends on the person's general health and ear structure. Prominent ear surgery may not be suitable for everyone with a marked deformity of the ears. Therefore, as before any aesthetic surgical procedure, it is important for the person to have a detailed consultation with a specialist doctor and establish whether they are a suitable candidate for surgery.

What techniques are used in prominent ear surgery?

1. Antihelix folding technique: In this technique, a few stitches are placed to narrow the distance between the ear (auricle) and the antihelix.
2. Conchal–scaphal telexis technique: In this technique, the shape of the auricular cartilage is altered and the ear is brought closer to the head.
3. Skin and cartilage removal technique: In this technique, excess skin and cartilage on the ear are removed.
4. Combined technique: In this technique, different techniques are combined to offer a solution tailored to the individual.

Which technique is used depends on the patient's ear structure and expectations. In the consultations with the doctor before surgery, the patient's wishes are assessed and the most suitable technique is determined.

What should you pay attention to after prominent ear surgery?

1. Keeping the head elevated: Keeping the head elevated after surgery helps reduce swelling and bruising. For this reason, you should make sure your pillow is high, especially when sleeping at night. Not lying in a way that puts pressure on the ears will also reduce the risk of bleeding and thereby speed up the healing process.
2. Regular dressings: It is important to change dressings as instructed by your doctor. Hygienic conditions must be observed when dressing materials are changed. Dressings help the surface stitches and incisions heal faster. They also reduce the risk of infection by 90%.
3. Use of bandages: The bandage wrapped around the ears by the doctor at the end of the operation is usually removed within 2-3 days. After that, you will need to wear the orthopaedic headbands recommended by your doctor. These bands largely prevent any problem of the ears opening out again. It is recommended that the band stays on your head continuously during the day while you go about your daily activities. You can take it off for 2-3 hours in between to let your ears breathe and relax. At night, sleeping with the bands on again after the dressing has been changed will help your stitches heal very securely.
4. Medication: It is important to continue taking medication as recommended by your doctor. Medicines such as painkillers, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs may be recommended.
5. Physical activity: Strenuous physical activity should be avoided after surgery. You should not do sport and should avoid carrying heavy objects until the time set by your doctor.
6. Wound healing: Creams and gels recommended by your doctor may be used for wound healing.
7. Smoking: Smoking can adversely affect healing after surgery. Avoiding smoking can be beneficial during the healing process.
8. Follow-up with your doctor: It is important to attend follow-up appointments after surgery according to the schedule recommended by your doctor. By following your doctor's instructions, you can speed up your healing process.

After prominent ear surgery, it is important that patients follow the doctor's instructions and do not neglect regular check-ups. In this way, the post-operative period can be completed more quickly and healthily.

What complications can occur after prominent ear surgery?

As with any operation, some risks and complications can occur after prominent ear surgery. These may include:

1. Infection: There may be a risk of infection after surgery. It shows itself with signs such as wound inflammation, redness, swelling and pain in the ear.
2. Bleeding: Bleeding may occur during or after surgery. For this reason, care must be taken for a few days after the operation.
3. Wound healing: Non-healing wounds may develop on the ear. For this reason, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations so that the ears heal properly.
4. Asymmetry: The ears may look asymmetrical after surgery. This may require a second operation.
5. Under-correction: In some cases, the result the person wanted may not be achieved after surgery.
6. Anaesthesia-related complications: Prominent ear surgery may be performed under general anaesthesia. Therefore, anaesthesia-related complications (for example, allergic reactions, breathing difficulties, etc.) may occur.

Such complications are rare and usually resolve. However, if you have any concerns, it is important to talk to your doctor before and after surgery.

Healing process after prominent ear surgery

1. The first few days: For the first few days after surgery, the ears are covered with a bandage and a bandage is wrapped around the head. These bandages help the ears heal properly.
2. The first week: During the first week, there may be pain and discomfort. For this reason, painkillers prescribed by the doctor may be used. There may also be swelling and bruising around the ears.
3. The first month: During the first month, a bandage may remain on the ears. Doctor's visits may be scheduled to remove these bandages and check the ears.
4. The first year: Over the first year, the ears heal completely and take on their final shape. During this time, regular follow-up appointments should be made with the doctor regarding the shape and position of the ears.

During the healing process, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations. Care must also be taken to prevent injury to the ears and to reduce the risk of infection.

What you need to know about prominent ear surgery

Prominent ear surgery is a surgical procedure performed to correct the shape of the ears or make them less prominent. Some important points to know about this operation are:

1. Before surgery, a detailed consultation with the doctor is needed about how long the operation will take, which techniques will be used and what to pay attention to after surgery.
2. The operation is usually performed under general anaesthesia and a short hospital stay may be needed.
3. For the first few days after surgery, the ears are covered with a bandage and a bandage is wrapped around the head. These bandages help the ears heal properly.
4. There may be pain and discomfort after surgery. Painkillers prescribed by the doctor may be used.
5. After surgery, there may be swelling and bruising around the ears. This is normal and will subside over time.
6. During the healing process, care must be taken to prevent injury to the ears and to reduce the risk of infection. It is important to follow the doctor's recommendations.
7. Prominent ear surgery generally gives successful results, and the shape and position of the ears are changed permanently.
8. However, in rare cases, complications such as infection, bleeding, irregular ear shape or loss of sensation in the ear may occur after surgery.
9. Prominent ear surgery can generally be performed after the age of 6, because the ears may not have completed their development until this age.
10. It may take up to a year for the ears to heal completely and take on their final shape after prominent ear surgery.

To sum up, prominent ear surgery can be a good option, but like any operation it is not without risks and must be managed carefully before and after surgery.

We also recommend that you read our informative article on prominent ear correction: /kulak-estetigi/