The potential health risks and advantages in relation to ear correction surgery
By: Julia Aidan
Submitted: 2011-09-12 23:11:06 | Word Count: 611
An ear correction surgery, or otoplasty, is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that is aimed at altering the ears size or shape. Pinning the protruding ears is the common and visuals types of ear correction.
You will see that there are many people who have quite visible ears as they seem larger and protrude than normal.
Pinning down protruding ears or other ear procedures might sculpt their significance regarding others opinion of oneself.
[ advertisement ]
Those that seek an ear operation can in general be divided into three groups.
- People who have ears that protrude or deformed due to some reason and haven't got it corrected earlier
- Individuals that have damaged the ear (like. an ear which has got trapped and been ripped off)
- Children/parents that wish to correct deformed or excessively protruding ears.
Ear pinning may be split into a 3 step method in terms of what happens prior to, during and after surgery.
Once you have decided to undergo an ear operation the next step is to book a consultation with a plastic surgeon. At your initial consultation your surgeon will examine your/your child's overall health and the ears shape and then decide the most suitable procedure for you or your child.
Ear pinning surgical treatment
The exterior ear is made up of cartilage covered in a thin layer of skin (except for the ear lobe which just consists of skin, dermis along with fats). Otoplasty is a procedure that corrects the ear damages or deformities.
An ear pinning procedure takes 1-2 hours and is generally performed under local anesthesia in combination with sedatives . In some cases (particularly when operating on small children) the operation is performed under narcosis. Regardless of the method, an ear operation is completely painless.
The ear cartilage is exposed by placing a small incision behind the external ear. Then the cartilage is toned to the preferred shape and is thereafter bent towards the head. After surgery the patient is given a turban looking dressing so as to avoid after bleeding and other complications that may result in more alterations to the cartilage.
The Time following Otoplasty
Just after a few hours of surgery, the kids as well as elder patients feel fine.
Once the sedative subsides and for a few hours thereafter the patient often experiences intensive pain in the ears. The pain is coped with pain killing medication and gradually decreases after the first 3-4 days.
The "turban dressing" is removed after 4-7 days and is replaced by a headband looking dressing that should be put on night and day for 2 to 3 weeks with the purpose of steadying the alterations and guard the ears from being bent forward.
All activities that involve some risk of the ear being bent should be avoided for up to one month.
Hazards connected with Otoplasty
Infection
In some cases blood effusion or an infection can occur to the area of surgery.
Scars
The scars are usually very discreet however in some cases over-active scar production can take place. In these cases treatment is needed.
Deformity following ear correction surgery
Deformities in term of cauliflower ear can occur. It is thus essential with an earlier follow-up thus actions may be taken if something implies such growth.
Sensitivity alterations following an ear pinning
You can experience some sensitivity changes after the ear operation, however these may be temporary and sometimes these may become permanent.
Poor outcomes
Along with the above risks after the ear operation, you might experience a risk that, as a result of impractical goals or unexpected outcomes, people end up unhappy with what is achieved
