Otoplasty is a term used for surgery performed for correction of protruding ears. It counts as one of the most frequent procedures of aesthetic and corrective surgery.
CANDIDATES FOR THE PROCEDURE
Ear deformity regarding protrusion (or as it is in informal language usually stated as cauliflower ears) is the most frequent hereditary anomaly among numerous deformities on the outer part of ear. A great number of variations in techniques testify about complexity of ear anatomy and difficulties in achieving permanently good results. This surgical procedure can be performed from the age of six onwards. Correction of an ear deformity before a child’s school enrolment can spare the child of a potential emotional trauma caused by teasing from other children.
Surgical procedure of ear corrections of both children and adults are proceeded by a consultation examination. Children and minors should be accompanied by the parents or legal guardians who with their signature give their consent to an aesthetic surgery.
PREPARATION FOR THE PROCEDURE
For an aesthetic correction of protruding ears, standard blood and urine tests are required: complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, coagulogram, blood glucose levels, urea and creatinine concentration and complete urine. In case that the patient is a child, paediatrician’s examinations are also required before the surgery. Above listed laboratory examinations can be done in our polyclinic too.
ADMISSION TO POLYCLINIC
Admission to Polyclinic Arcadia is appointed by phone in advance. Admission is possible during the morning hours on the day of surgery, or the evening before the procedure. After situating you into your room, medical analysis, taking anamnestic data and examinations by a specialized anaesthesiologist are to follow.
Parents and legal guardians who accompany the child are allowed to be in the room with the child during the entire stay in the polyclinic.
ANAESTHESIA
Aesthetic correction of protruding ears is most frequently performed under local anaesthesia, but sometimes even under general anaesthesia which is agreed during consultant examinations.
PROCEDURE
There are several surgical techniques for the operation of protruding ears. After examination of ear conches, a plastic surgeon determines by which technique he is going to return the ears into their natural position. All these techniques have a mutual incision which is placed behind the ear and the scar is completely hidden. The procedure terminates by stitching the skin and immobilisation of ears with specially made sterile cotton wool and elastic bandage.
IMMEDIATE POSTOPERATIVE PERIOD
If the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, 2 hours after the surgery you leave for home care. First bending is usually 2 days later and then elastic band is placed. The band should be continuously worn for a week and then for another week only during night.
FINAL RESULT
New ear look is visible immediately after the surgery and it takes 3 months for complete recovery and healing up.
