Prominent ears can cause significant distress to an individual, particularly if they suffer from social taunts because of the shape of their ears. This can have a significant impact on an individual’s self-esteem and self-confidence, both during childhood and adulthood.
By bringing the ears into improved proportion with the rest of the head, otoplasty can have a tremendously positive impact on a person’s self-image and overall quality of life.
If you or your child has ears that protrude or are unusually shaped, and you are interested in learning more about otoplasty, please schedule your initial consultation with Dr Chaithan Reddy at our plastic surgery practice serving Sydney’s Upper North Shore, the Lower North Shore, Norwest, Central Coast, and surrounding areas today.
Am I a good candidate for otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a very effective procedure for improving and correcting the position and shape of one’s ears. If you have prominent ears (‘bat’ ears) or abnormally shaped ears, then you will be a good candidate for this procedure. It is also a very useful technique in recreating symmetry in individuals who have two differently shaped ears or one ear that is more prominent than the other. While Dr Reddy commonly performs otoplasty on children at his North Shore and Norwest offices, the procedure is appropriate for adult patients, as well.
Among adult patients, otoplasty can be combined with other aesthetic facial plastic surgery procedures, such as cheek and chin implant placement and non-surgical treatments, if desired
What does ear correction surgery entail?
Otoplasty is usually performed under a general anaesthetic, but may be performed under local anaesthetic in suitable patients. The procedure will take approximately 2 hours for both ears. Prior to your anaesthesia, Dr Reddy will mark out the planned incisions using calipers ensuring that symmetry is optimised. The planned incisions would have been discussed with you in detail at your prior consultation and will be confirmed again prior to your surgery. The incisions are positioned behind the ear, in order to conceal them.
There are two commonly used techniques in the treatment of prominent ears. These include the Furnas technique and Chongchet technique. Dr Reddy is proficient in performing both techniques and will discuss these techniques with you at the time of your consultation. Irrespective of the technique employed, the critical step involves addressing the underlying cartilage. Dr Reddy believes this is crucial in achieving long lasting results. Once the underlying cartilage framework has been reshaped, the skin will be closed with fine gauge sutures. A head bandage will also be applied to protect your ears and keep the soft cotton wool dressings in place.
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How long is my hospital stay?
After your Otoplasty surgery, you will usually be able to return home the same day. Dr Reddy will check up on you, and talk to you after you have woken up from surgery to ensure that you are comfortable. A specific post-operative instruction plan together with 24 hour contact details will be given to you at the time of your discharge from hospital to ensure that you are completely at ease during your recovery period at home. Dr Reddy will see you regularly during your recovery period, until you are completely satisfied with your results and progress.
What does my aftercare involve?
Your first post-operative visit will be approximately 5-10 days after surgery. At this visit, your dressings and sutures will be removed. Advice on scar management and appropriate headwear will be provided. You will generally be required to wear a headband at night for the first 4 weeks to protect and maintain the new ear position.
What is Otoplasty down time?
Discomfort is mild-moderate following otoplasty surgery, with most patients taking home appropriate analgesia upon discharge from hospital.
Most patients will be able to attend to their day-to-day self-care activities the day after surgery, although any exertional maneuvers should be avoided. After the first week, the headband is not required to be worn during the daytime. It is important to understand, that bruising is quite common after otoplasty surgery. This is most apparent during the first week after ear correction surgery and may persist for a period of 2 weeks. Generally allow for a one-two week down time period from your work place (due to the presence of bruising and swelling). It is important that you avoid any strenuous activities for approximately 4 weeks after surgery in order to minimise potential bleeding, bruising and swelling.
When can I see the final results?
At your first post-operative check (day 5-10), you will still be quite bruised and swollen but you will immediately be able to appreciate the new ear position. Bruising and swelling will continue to resolve thereafter. Bruising should have resolved over the first two weeks, and most of the swelling will also have resolved over the first two weeks. At two weeks, you will still have some minor swelling, with the final results becoming apparent closer to the two to three month post-operative mark.
The scars associated with otoplasty surgery can be very favourable. The scars are routinely positioned along the back of the ear so that they remain well concealed.
Otoplasty Before And After
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Dr Reddy proudly provides otoplasty of the highest standard to patients from all over Sydney and throughout New South Wales, including the Greater Hunter region.
Every patient is unique and results may vary. Surgery and all health regulated services carry risks which need to be discussed with your doctor to ensure you are fully informed and realistic outcomes have been explained.
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