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Thousands
of ear surgeries (otoplasties) are performed
successfully each year. The surgery may be done
in the surgeon's office-based facility, in an
outpatient surgical facility, or in a hospital.
The surgery is performed while the patient is
awake but pain free (local anesthetic) or deep
asleep and pain free (general anesthetic). The
procedure usually lasts about two hours, depending
on the extent of the correction needed.
The
most commonly employed technique is one in which
the surgeon makes incisions in the back of the
ear and removes skin to expose the ear cartilage.
Sutures are used to fold the cartilage to reshape
the ear.
Other
surgeons choose to forgo sutures in favor of
cutting or abrading the cartilage before folding
it.
The
ear is brought closer to the head by creating
a more pronounced fold (called the antihelix)
in the central portion of the ear.
The
ears are covered with a bulky, moderate pressure
dressing following surgery. There is usually
some tenderness and discomfort, that is easily
controlled by medication. Most patients leave
the hospital on the same day, or shortly thereafter.
Within
two to four days, the outer pressure dressings
are removed but the patient is asked to wear
a light head dressing for two to three weeks
to promote healing.
Faint
scars are concealed in the flexion creases behind
the ears; there are no incisions in front of
the ears.
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