Otoplasty
What is it?
Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery aimed at correcting blemishes of the ears, such as protruding or looped ears, which can cause embarrassment or discomfort. This procedure allows you to change the shape, size and attachment of the ears, helping to improve facial appearance and self-confidence.
When to undergo otoplasty surgery
Otoplasty is often performed at school age, starting from 6 years old, since the external ear is already formed. This intervention is particularly required because the defect of protruding ears can cause psychological distress in children, affecting their social relationships with peers. However, adults can also decide to benefit from the procedure, obtaining excellent aesthetic results.
Why otoplasty surgery is performed
Otoplasty is performed in cases of auricular prominence, also known as protruding ears, due to an increase in the distance between the auricle and the mastoid region. This may result from excessive development of the cartilaginous concha, lack of the antihelix fold, or both. The surgery can correct one or both problems, reshaping the cartilage and repositioning the ear.
Correction techniques
During the procedure, the plastic surgeon makes changes to the cartilaginous tissue and skin of the ear to reduce its size and improve its shape. Techniques may include removing or reconstructing cartilage, repositioning the pinna, or reducing the size of the lobe.
Benefits of otoplasty
Otoplasty surgery offers numerous advantages:
- Aesthetic improvement: Otoplasty improves the physical appearance, contributing to a more harmonious and symmetrical appearance.
- Increased self-esteem: By correcting ear imperfections, the surgery helps to increase self-confidence and prevent emotional or psychological problems caused by social discomfort.
- Quick recovery: Otoplasty is a relatively simple and safe procedure, with a short recovery period.
- Lasting results: The effects of the intervention are stable over time, and subsequent development does not compromise the results.
- Functional correction: In some cases, otoplasty can help correct functional ear problems, improving your quality of life.
Conclusions regarding otoplasty surgery
Otoplasty is an effective operation to correct aesthetic anomalies of the ears, providing a harmonious and natural appearance, increasing self-esteem and preventing social discomfort. Suitable for both children and adults, the procedure offers stable results over time and rapid recovery, improving the patient's appearance and quality of life.
FAQ
The motivation that drives the patient to undergo this operation arises from the aesthetic need to improve the shape of their ears, making them more proportionate to the rest of the face. Otoplasty is advisable in cases of protruding, protruding, too large, dysmorphic and asymmetrical ears. The corrective intervention can also be performed in preschool age around 5-6 years.
An initial consultation with the plastic surgeon will help to eliminate doubts and perplexities, understand exactly how the operation will take place and what all the options and possibilities are that are presented in your case. In order to achieve an optimal result, the possible minimal variations of the surgical procedure will be evaluated based on the anatomical characteristics of the patient, considering the shape of the ear and the general condition of the face. The visit is not binding and gives the opportunity to receive all the information and satisfy any curiosity regarding the surgical and post-surgical program, the drugs to be taken, the analyzes and checks to be performed and the costs. In the end the surgeon will have collected all the necessary data on the patient's psychophysical state and his motivations, prescribed blood tests and an electrocardiogram. Furthermore, one week before the operation, it is necessary to abstain from smoking and medications (unless they are expressly authorized by the surgeon), and, above all, aspirin because it promotes bleeding. At the same time as hospitalization, pre-operative photographs will be taken and the surgical site will be marked which will act as a guide during the operation. There are two surgical possibilities: the Dieffenbach technique which consists in suturing the perichondrium of the concha to the periosteum of the mastoid region in order to close the auriculomastoid dihedral angle. This technique is easy and quick to perform, but relapses are frequent. The technique with a direct approach to the cartilaginous skeleton of the auricle after interruption of the elastic fibers is called forgetfulness. This technique is more complex to execute, but guarantees a more stable result over time.
The bilateral otoplasty procedure takes place under local anesthesia with sedation and lasts approximately 1 hour. The patient does not feel pain either during the operation or in the immediate post-operative period thanks to the prolonged analgesic effect of this type of anesthetic therapy. The incision, in the case of the Dieffenbach technique, takes place in correspondence with the retroauricular sulcus. The skin is detached from the underlying tissue and the perichondrium of the concha is sutured with the periosteum of the temporal region. In case of a direct approach to the auricular cartilage, the incision takes place in correspondence with one of the grooves of the pinna. We proceed with the maneuver of forgetting the elastic fibers in order to erase the existing three-dimensional morphology. We proceed with modeling the pavilion skeleton by resecting the excess parts. The operation ends with the suturing of the skin and the positioning of appropriate plasters.
Normally discharge occurs the same day after a few hours of observation. During the first dressing, the wound is disinfected and the plasters are changed. After approximately 8-10 days the sutures are removed, allowing the wounds to be bathed. Normal daily activities can be resumed after 3 days. After about 30 days it is possible to resume normal sporting activity. In the case of the technique with a direct approach to the cartilages, for approximately two months it is advisable to avoid subjecting the pavilion to rough manipulations in order to allow correct consolidation of the elastic fibres. Post-operative control photographs will be taken approximately one month after the operation; periodic follow-up checks will then be scheduled.
In the first post-operative days, the temporary presence of local swelling, pain, bruising and altered sensitivity will be normal. Post-operative discomfort can be controlled with normal painkillers and anti-inflammatories.
The residual scars follow the retroauricular sulcus in the case of the Dieffenbach technique and one of the pinna sulci in the case of the technique with a direct approach to the cartilaginous skeleton. Initially, the scars are conspicuous and hyperpigmented and then become less and less evident with time.
The success of the surgery depends on several factors such as: the patient's initial clinical condition, the patient's healing capacity, adequate cartilage resection and the patient's compliance with the doctor's post-operative instructions. The result of otoplasty is evident from the first post-operative days and is destined to remain so over time.
Complications of the surgery are rare, but possible. They can consist of: hematomas and bleeding, infection and delayed healing of the surgical wound, poor healing, modification of skin sensitivity, persistent pain and asymmetry of outcomes.
It is not possible to give an immediate answer to the question about costs, since every surgical procedure requires a preliminary visit to evaluate the cost. Before and after photographs are available on the page Instagram.
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