Surgical Procedures - Ear Surgery

EAR SURGERY (OTOPLASTY)

Surgical repositioning or reshaping ears to give a more normal and symmetric appearance.

Most otoplasty is undertaken to make prominent ears lie more closely against the head or to reduce the size of unusually large ears. Most patients are children aged between four and 14 who can undergo this procedure in a pediatric unit. Ear surgery on adults is also possible. What can and should be done in your case will depend on a Consultation with your surgeon. However the following introductory paragraphs will, we hope, be helpful.

RIGHT FOR YOU?

Provided you choose a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery. With this procedure a small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot under the skin of the ear. This may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle. Occasionally patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause some scarring. Antibiotics can usually clear up any such infection; rarely further surgery may be required to drain the infected area.

Where?

Our surgeons perform ear surgery in the operating theatre in the Hurlingham Clinic or in one of the London private hospitals where they serve as Consultant. Many patients are able to go home on the day of the surgery; some remain in a hospital for one or two days.

ANAESTHESIA

The Hurlingham Clinic and Spa offers a modern, patient-friendly approach to anaesthesia TIVA - Total Intravenous Anaesthesia. TIVA, is a newer anaesthetic technique which has risen in profile within the last 5-8 years. It has been made possible with the advent of a new generation of intravenous medications with unique properties. TIVA patients sleep soundly during the entire operation, feeling no pain and experiencing no anxiousness. They wake up quickly and comfortably with no memory of their procedure. Many patients prefer this type of anaesthetic to traditional general anaesthetics since they feel comfortable, wake quickly, have less nausea, experience none of the 'hang-over' effect of a full general anaesthetic, and therefore can be discharged earlier. TIVA is safe, effective, extremely well tolerated and is the anaesthetic of choice of Hurlingham Clinic surgeons and most of their patients.

Alternatively, for some patients, they and their surgeons may decide that a full general anaesthetic is still the best choice. Discuss your options for anaesthesia during your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon.

WHAT HAPPENS?

Routine ear surgery usually takes about two hours. With one of the more common techniques, the surgeon first makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage and then sculpts the cartilage to bend it back toward the head. Stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold. An alternative technique where no cartilage is removed uses stitches to fold the exposed cartilage back on itself and so reshape the ear. Most ear surgery leaves only a faint scar on the back of the ear that fades with time. Surgery is usually performed on both ears for better balance even when only one ear appears to protrude.

Getting Back To Normal

Patients are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery. The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best moulding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication. Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow your surgeon's directions for wearing this dressing, especially at night. Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week. Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Patients can usually go back to work about five days after surgery.

Other Ear Problems

Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These include: 'lop ear,' when the tip seems to fold down and forward; 'cupped ear,' which is usually a very small ear; and 'shell ear,' when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury. Sometimes, however, the correction can leave a scar that's worse than the original problem. Ask your surgeon about the effectiveness of surgery for your specific case.

More Natural-Looking Ears

Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery. But keep in mind, the goal is improvement, not perfection. Don't expect both ears to match perfectly - perfect symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural in ears. If you've discussed the procedure and your expectations with the surgeon before the operation, chances are, you'll be quite pleased with the result.

HAPPY?

Most patients are very pleased with the results of ear surgery provided they have discussed the procedure and their expectations thoroughly with the surgeon beforehand. Remember, the goal is improvement not perfection. Do not expect both ears to match perfectly, total symmetry is unlikely to be achievable and would be unnatural anyway.

Contact us for your ear surgery consultation.