OTOPLASTY

Otoplasty is a surgery that is applied to protruding ears to make the ear look more aesthetic and completely get rid of its old appearance.

Protruding ears is a condition that is one of the biggest complexes of many people today, especially school-age children, and it varies from culture to culture. Although protruding ears are a laughing stock in western societies, for example, in Japan, it is considered a sign of cuteness, cuteness and beauty, especially in young girls, and it is not considered a shame, on the contrary, it is accepted as a reason for preference. Otoplasty is an aesthetic surgery that is also in high demand by men. Because although women can easily hide their ears with their hair, men cannot easily hide it due to their short hair. Another problem in ear aesthetics is that the earlobe is torn or sagging over time with the use of earrings and does not look good to the eye.

The most common aesthetic deformity seen in the ear is the deformity called “protruding ear” or “sail ear” among the public. Protruding ear is a condition in which the ear folds are not formed sufficiently due to the weakness of the ear cartilages, and as a result, the ear is in an open position forward and sideways. This is generally a family-inherited deformity.

Apart from protruding ears, there are other ear problems that can be corrected with surgery. Plastic Surgery is also concerned with other problems of the auricle. In such cases, it is possible to create a new auricle by taking cartilage from other parts of the body with a series of operations. These are cases where the shape of the auricle is different from normal, which are also corrected by surgery. In addition, a new ear can be made from the patient’s own rib cartilage for those who do not have a congenital ear or who have lost their ear after an accident.

Why does it happen?

Protruding ear is a congenital and familial condition. It is not due to a specific cause. It is not a symptom of any discomfort or disease. Sometimes there may be one or two ears that are abnormally absent in the newborn. According to another theory, the estrogen hormone circulating in the blood causes the ear cartilages to be soft, which causes the ear to turn into a protruding appearance with the contraction of the pre-ear muscles immediately after birth.

When should it be done?

Protruding ear is the biggest nightmare of school-age children, girls or boys. Because they are ridiculed by their friends at school and this situation seriously affects their school success and social relations. They experience problems with adapting to school. In the future, it can even cause serious psychological problems that are sometimes impossible to compensate. The best treatment is the application of an elastic bandage to the ears for a few months continuously, but under the supervision of a doctor, 2-3 weeks after birth in babies whose families have detected protruding ears. The result is usually successful and surgery is not required in the future.

In children who have missed this opportunity, the best treatment time is before starting primary school, that is, surgically correcting it at the age of 6. Because when he starts school, he will be treated without being ridiculed and without being psychologically aware of the situation. Since the ears complete their development at 4-5 years of age, there is no harm in having surgery at the age of 6. Depending on personal circumstances and the family’s preference, the surgery can be performed in later years as well, but pre-school surgery should be preferred as it eliminates the possibility of the child being ridiculed by his friends because of his ears. It can be done at any age from 5 years old.

Can it be done in adults?

Protruding ear correction surgery can be easily performed in adults and there is no harm in it. Patients in our society who have not been treated in their childhood due to socioeconomic reasons are operated on when they grow up and have their own financial means.

What are the benefits?

Otoplasty surgery seriously changes the person’s appearance by ensuring that the ears come to their normal places. This will positively affect the person’s family and social relations as it will increase their self-confidence.

The duty of parents

When you detect this situation in your children, it is very beneficial to consult a doctor. If your child is of school age, you should investigate whether this situation is affecting your child, because sometimes children do not express it and it can cause them to become depressed by putting their problems inside. If your child is complaining about this situation, you should take it seriously and try to help him. You may encounter 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 for surgery. Children who are uncomfortable with the shape of their ears and want surgery are usually more compliant during treatment.

How is it treated?

Ear aesthetic surgery is not an intervention that carries serious risks. It is an extremely simple and easy surgery. It can be done under local or general anesthesia depending on the patient’s age. It can be done in hospitals or clinics. It is a daily surgical procedure that does not require staying in the hospital. It is done in front of or behind the ear depending on the surgeon’s preference. The ear cartilages are reshaped and the ear is placed backwards.

The surgery takes about 45-90 minutes depending on the surgery performed. After the surgery, it is necessary to wear an ear band for 1-2 weeks. Since the incisions will usually remain in the fold behind the ear, there will be no visible scar. It does not affect hearing. Recovery is completed within 1-2 weeks. Tearing and enlargement or sagging of the earlobe can also be easily corrected with local anesthesia.

Great psychological relief is seen in the patient whose ear appearance is corrected. Basically, this surgery, which is gaining new popularity among the public, is an easy surgery that provides serious improvement in facial aesthetics and the person’s psychological state, despite being simple, safe and painless. The ear deformity, called protruding ear among the public, causes complexes of being ashamed from this from school age in children or adults, which causes serious psychological problems.

The correction surgery should definitely be done before starting school, that is, around the age of 5-6, in children. Because at school, they become the subject of ridicule by their friends, which deepens the psychological disorder, at least they become aware of their protruding ears even when they are not in their minds. There is no harm in having this surgery done in adulthood. Basically, this surgery, which is gaining new popularity among the public, is an easy surgery that provides serious improvement in facial aesthetics and the person’s psychological state, despite being simple, safe and painless.