Ear Surgery

If You’re Considering Ear Surgery…

Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. This operation is typically done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery is completed, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.

If you’re considering ear surgery for yourself or your child, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it’s performed, and what results you can expect. It can’t answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask your doctor if there is anything you don’t understand about the procedure.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

When ear surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.

A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle.

Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected area.

Planning For Surgery

Most surgeons recommend that parents stay alert to their child’s feelings about protruding ears; don’t insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.

In the initial meeting, your surgeon will evaluate your child’s condition, or yours if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. He or she will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.

Where The Surgery Will Be Performed

Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in a hospital, a doctor’s office-based surgical facility, or a freestanding surgery center. Occasionally, your doctor may recommend that the procedure be done as an inpatient procedure, in which case you can plan on staying overnight in the hospital.

Types of Anesthesia

If your child is young, your surgeon may recommend general anesthesia, so the child will sleep through the operation. For older children or adults, the surgeon may prefer to use local anesthesia, combined with a sedative, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed.

The Surgery

Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.

With one of the more common techniques, the surgeon makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He or she will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable 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 when the surgery is complete.

Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.

In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.

Getting Back to Normal

Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery, although you may prefer to stay overnight in the hospital with a child until all the effects of general anesthesia wear off.

The patient’s head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best molding 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. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they’re careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child’s teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.

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.

After Otoplasty Surgery Post-Op Instructions

1. After getting home, continue resting for the next 24 hours with your head elevated.

2. Sleep on your back with 3 to 4 pillows behind your head and back. Avoid any pressure on ears.

3. After surgery, you will have a large dressing in place around the head covering the ears. This will remain in place for the first 7 days after surgery, although in some instances, Dr. Gage may remove the dressing sooner. After the dressing is removed, you may be asked to wear a soft, protective head band when you sleep.

4. To help minimize swelling and discomfort, you may apply cold compresses to the ears during the first 24 hours after surgery. Swelling around the ears is a normal occurrence. The amount of swelling depends on the extent of the surgery as well as your own tendency to bruise.

5. You may take Tylenol or Motrin/Ibuprofen for pain. You may also be given a prescription for a stronger pain medication. Prescription pain medication should be taken with food to prevent nausea.

6. Before you go home, we will review which medications you may safely resume. If you have questions regarding which medications you may take, please call.

7. If you were discharged with an oral antibiotic, it should be taken through its full cycle as directed.

8. Call Dr. Gage’s office immediately at 314-251-4530 if you experience any of the following symptoms: Temperature above 101.5°F, shakes and chills, severe unrelieved pain, or increased bleeding noticed on the dressing.

9. Do not engage in any strenuous activities or contact sports for the next 6 weeks after surgery or as instructed by your doctor.

10. You can expect edema (swelling) as well as ecchymosis (bruising) around your face after surgery. The amount of edema and ecchymosis depends on the extent of surgery as well as your own tendency to bruise.

12. Dr. Gage highly recommends that you use sunblock with a minimum of SPF 15 for the next 3 months to help protect your incision sites from burning. All fresh new scars are hypersensitive to sunlight, causing a tendency to burn.

13. Be aware that smoking or the use of unapproved medications can lead to complications and jeopardize the results of your surgery. It has been our pleasure to provide your surgical care. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to call.

Click here to download a copy of the post-op instructions.

If you want to discuss your ear surgery options, contact Dr. Gage to schedule a consultation at (314) 251-4530.