PROMINENT
EAR SURGERY
IN TURKEY
When it comes to aesthetic ear surgery, of course, the most common and most frequently performed prominent ear surgery comes to mind. With prominent ear surgery, the angles of the ear are corrected, it is provided to approach the head, and if necessary, some reduction in ear size can be achieved. This is especially true of the size of the earlobe.
In prominent ear deformity, there is no formation, underdevelopment or insufficient development of the folds in the ear. Ears stand further from the head.
Prominent ear surgery is performed after the age of 6, when the ears have largely ceased to grow.
WHAT IS PROMINENT
EAR SURGERY?
The prominent ear problem is the most common type of ear deformity and is usually caused by the looseness of the cartilages in the ear area or the insufficiency of the ear folds. For these reasons, the ear, which has a loose structure, stands bent forward or to the side, causing an unpleasant appearance. It is usually seen in both ears, but in some people, only one prominent ear has the appearance of one ear. Although women can usually hide this problem with open hair, especially in men, this is not possible, so men resort to plastic surgery more often to correct this problem. Prominent ear, which is a problem that must be avoided due to the psychological problems it may cause, can be easily corrected with simple aesthetic operations thanks to the opportunities provided by modern medicine.
PROMINENT EAR CAUSES
Prominent eardrum, which is a completely congenital problem, occurs due to genetic factors. For this reason, the probability of this problem is very high in people who have prominent ear problems in their family, especially in their parents. Problems that are transmitted in families and cause prominent ear are as follows:
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Too wide angle between the posterior ear bone and the auricle
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Having a loose structure of ear cartilage
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The absence of folds in the upper part of the ear and the flat structure of the auricle as if it were ironed
Although the relationship between the looseness of the ear muscles and the estrogen hormone levels in the blood has been investigated in recent years, no definite and concrete evidence has been reached yet.
Prominent ears, which cause psychological problems in many individuals, especially in school children, regardless of gender, are not welcome in western society, and people who have this problem tend to cover up by using various accessories or growing their hair. Obsessions up to a complex degree can be seen in people who are disturbed by their prominent ears. The problems caused by prominent earphones also differ regionally. In the Far East culture, in some societies, prominent ears can be perceived as a cute appearance, especially in women, but it can be a situation that is not strange. However, especially in western societies, where our country can be included, people who have had this problem since childhood are ridiculed by their environment, and as a result of this situation, lack of self-confidence, depression and low self-esteem problems may occur in people. For this reason, prominent ear problem should be corrected with an aesthetic operation as early as possible in order not to cause such social and psychological problems in people.
HO TO TREAT PROMINENT EAR ?
Ear aesthetic surgery is not an intervention that carries serious risks. It is an extremely simple and easy surgery. It can be performed under local or general anesthesia depending on the age of the patient. It can be done in a hospital or clinic. It is a daily surgical procedure that does not require a hospital stay. It is performed in front of or behind the ear, depending on the surgeon's preference. The ear cartilage is reshaped and the ear is placed backwards. The operation takes 45-90 minutes depending on the operation performed. It is necessary to wear an ear band for 1-2 weeks after the operation. Since the incisions will usually remain in the fold behind the ear, there is no visible scar. It does not affect hearing. Healing is complete within 1-2 weeks. The tearing and the enlargement or sagging of the holes in the earlobe can be easily corrected with local anesthesia.
The patient, whose ear appearance improves, also has great psychological relief. Basically, this surgery is gaining popularity among the public, and although it is simple, safe and painless, it is an easy surgery that provides serious improvement in facial aesthetics and mental state of the person. Ear deformity, which is popularly called prominent ear, causes embarrassment complexes and serious psychological problems in children or adults starting from school age. Corrective surgery should be performed in children before they start school, that is, around 5-6 years of age. Because at school, he is the subject of ridicule to his friends, which causes the psychological disorder to deepen, and at least the child realizes his prominent ears when he is not even in his mind. There is no harm in performing this surgery in adults. Basically, this surgery is gaining popularity among the public, and although it is simple, safe and painless, it is an easy surgery that provides serious improvement in facial aesthetics and mental state of the person.
WHEN SHOULD PROMINENT EAR SURGERY BE PERFORMED?
Prominent ear is the biggest nightmare of school-age children, boys or girls. Because they become a laughing stock for their friends at school, and this seriously affects their school success and social relations. They have problems adjusting to school. It may even cause serious psychological problems that are sometimes irreversible in the future. The best treatment is the continuous application of an elastic bandage to the ears for a few months 2-3 weeks after birth, but under the control of a doctor, in babies with prominent ears detected by their families. The result is usually successful and there is no need for further surgery. In children who missed this opportunity, the best treatment time is surgical correction before they start primary school, that is, at the age of 6 years. Because when they start school, they will be treated without being ridiculed and psychologically unaware of the event. Since the ears complete their development at the age of 4-5, there is no harm in having surgery at the age of 6 years. Depending on personal circumstances and the family's preference, surgery can also be performed in later years, but pre-school surgery should be preferred because it eliminates the possibility of the child being mocked by his friends because of his ears. It can be done at any age from the age of 5.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is there a non-surgical treatment option for prominent ear?
The auricle can be shaped with bandages or molds during the first six weeks in the neonatal period. For this reason, taping is recommended when some other visual problems such as prominent ear or folding of the auricle are detected at birth. This method, which has a chance of success in the early period, has a very low chance of success after six weeks.
Is it a frequently requested application in adults?
It is a comfortable operation that can often be performed with regional (local) anesthesia. It is a method that we use very often in adults. Local anesthesia has no side effects. However, general anesthesia is healthier for my patients aged 14-16 and younger.
What is it like after prominent ear surgery?
There is no serious pain complaint after the surgery, and simple painkillers are usually sufficient when necessary.
At the end of the operation, the bandage applied on the treated ears is changed several times during the first week, according to the need, and then removed. If the stitches that need to be removed during the surgery are used, they are also removed during the first week's control.
It is recommended that patients use a bandage or headband to keep the ears in the proper position while lying down for the first two weeks, followed by the first month.
Although tissue healing is usually completed in two months after surgery, the auricle should be protected from trauma in the form of pulling for six months, especially in operations where the ear is shaped with stitches.
Is There a Risk of Prominent Ear Surgery?
Otoplasty surgery is generally in the low-risk surgery group. The most common problems that can be seen in the short period after the operation are blood collection (hematoma formation) and infection in the operation area. Both problems can be solved without additional problems with appropriate treatments.
The problems that can be seen in the medium-long term are the formation of asymmetry in the ears or the reoccurrence of the prominent ear appearance over time. In order to solve this relatively rare problem with detailed pre-operative evaluation and appropriate surgical techniques, re-surgery is usually required.
What are the duties of parents?
When you detect this condition in your children, it is of great benefit to see a doctor. If your child is at school age, you should investigate whether this situation affects your child because sometimes children do not express this and can cause them to get depressed by throwing their troubles into them. If your child is complaining about this situation, you should take him seriously and try to help him. You may face serious problems in the future. However, if children do not complain about their ears and do not want this surgery and change themselves, children should not be forced to undergo surgery. Children who are uncomfortable with the shape of the ears and who want surgery are generally more compliant during treatment.
Will there be any scars after ear plastic surgery?
Prominent ear surgeries have nothing to do with the front of the ear, so no one will understand that you have had surgery, of course, there will be a scar behind the ear, but this will remain as a vague scar since the back of the ear heals very well and is not visible.
Will there be pain after the operation?
After the prominent ear surgery, there is mild pain for one or two days, apart from this, as a result of the pressure dressing and dressing, there is often discomfort and pain in the forehead of the patients. This surgery does not affect your quality of life in terms of pain.
Especially after the edema and swelling have passed, your ears will have a completely natural appearance. Of course, the effect of the swelling will be evident in the early period, but after 1 week, the swelling will begin to go down. After 1 month, no one will understand that you have had ear surgery.
Since dissolving stitches are used in prominent ear surgery, there is no need to remove stitches, it starts to dissolve after 1 week and completely disappears in about 2-3 weeks.
Bathing and showering can be done 1 week after the ear surgery. The first baths should be with warm water and of short duration. It should not be done by pulling too much on the ear. After 15 days, you can take a bath more comfortably.