Otoplasty
- Ear surgery or otoplasty is an elective cosmetic procedure that either reshapes, remodels or reconstructs the ‘pinna/auricle’ or cartilaginous portion of the outer ear.
Indications
- Protruding and asymmetrical ears.
- Ear reconstruction due to injury.
Eligibility
- It is not recommended if the patient has a history of high uncontrollable blood pressure, bleeding disorders or excessive scarring/keloids.
Procedure
It has three types:
- Ear pinning – used to tuck the ear from behind and reduce protrusion.
- Ear augmentation – used to increase the size of the outer ear in case of deformation.
- Ear reduction – used to reduce large ears (macrotia).
- Duration – The entire surgery should last for 2 to 3 hours.
- Downtime – 2 to 4 weeks until normal activities can be resumed.
Recovery & Maintenance
- 1. Post-procedure, the patient is advised not to sleep on their sides and to avoid strenuous activities.
- Bandages around the head will be removed after 2 to 4 weeks. After which, the patient can resume normal activities and will be instructed to wear a headband for another 6 to 8 weeks
Complications
- Infection
- Skin sensation is altered, which is temporary.
- Suture extrusion
- Asymmetry
Result
