What Is Prominent Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)?
Protruding ears are genetic or external ear defects caused by the distance between the ears and the head being too large and the ears being perpendicular to the head rather than parallel to the head. Prominent ear surgery is a plastic surgery that aims to correct the position and appearance of the ears to the head. It is generally preferred in cases where the ears are protruding outward more prominently than normal. In addition to this congenital condition, otoplasty can also be performed to correct ear deformities caused by accidents or trauma. The surgery can be performed for both children and adults and helps to improve self-confidence.
Prominent ear surgery not only improves the aesthetic appearance of the ears, but also contributes positively to the psychological and social status of individuals. This surgery eliminates the appearance of prominent ears by placing the ears closer to the head. As a result, patients increase their self-confidence and feel more comfortable in social life. In addition, achieving permanent results after surgery helps patients achieve long-term aesthetic satisfaction. The surgery usually takes place in a short period of time and the recovery process is also fast, making it possible for patients to return to their daily lives quickly.
Prominent ear surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia, but general anesthesia can also be applied if necessary. During surgery, a small incision is made behind the ears to access the ear cartilage. The shape of the cartilage is altered to reduce the angle with the head and then the ear is positioned closer to the head. After the procedure, the incision is closed with sutures. The duration of the surgery usually varies between 1-2 hours.
Prominent ear surgery can usually cause mild pain and discomfort. Since local anesthesia or general anesthesia is used during the surgery, you will not feel pain during the procedure. After the surgery, there may be mild pain and swelling, which is normal and usually goes away on its own within a few days. Doctors may prescribe painkillers to relieve the pain during this period. To ensure a comfortable recovery, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations and rest for the recommended time.
Non-surgical otoplasty methods are alternative techniques used to correct the appearance of the ears. These include temporary corrections using special bandages or silicone devices to bring the ears closer to the head. However, these methods do not provide permanent results and are often preferred to temporarily alleviate aesthetic concerns. Non-surgical methods have limited effectiveness, so surgical otoplasty is the most effective solution for those seeking a permanent and satisfactory result.
Otoplasty can be applied to individuals of all ages who have prominent ear problems. Especially in children, this procedure can be performed from the age of 5-6, when the ear development is completed. At this age, surgery can be an important choice in terms of not negatively affecting the child's social life and creating a more psychologically sound foundation. It is also possible for adults to undergo otoplasty due to aesthetic concerns or past traumas.
The duration of otoplasty surgery usually varies between 1-2 hours depending on the technique applied and the degree of deformation in the ears. The total procedure time may be prolonged due to preoperative preparations, duration of anesthesia and postoperative observation periods. However, most patients can be discharged the same day after surgery and may only need to wait a few days to return to their normal activities. Paying attention to the doctor's recommendations in the postoperative period contributes to accelerating the healing process.
Prominent ear surgery usually offers permanent results. During surgery, the position and shape of the ears are permanently corrected. After this procedure, the ears take on a natural appearance and the changes made do not change over time. However, each individual's healing process may differ; therefore, it is important to follow regular post-operative check-ups and doctor's recommendations. The techniques applied and the surgeon's expertise are among the factors that affect permanence. Therefore, the results of surgeries performed by an experienced surgeon are usually satisfactory and permanent.
Recovery after otoplasty surgery is usually fast. After surgery, patients can be observed in the hospital for one day and most patients can return home the next day. For the first few days, there may be mild swelling and bruising of the ears, which decreases over time. Patients can usually return to their normal activities within a week, but it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations. Sports and blows to the ears should be avoided for a period of time to allow the ears to heal. Full recovery after surgery usually takes a few weeks, but it may take several months for the ears to reach their final appearance. During this period, patients should be in constant communication with their doctors and attend follow-up appointments regularly, which will have a positive effect on the healing process.
Prominent ear surgery in children can usually be performed from the age of 5-6 years, as ear development is largely complete at this age. Before the surgery, the general health condition of the child should be evaluated and attention should be paid to whether the child is psychologically ready for the operation. After the surgery, care should be taken to protect the child's ears and the bandages and protectors recommended by the doctor should be used regularly. In addition, physical activities and blows to the ear should be avoided and hygiene rules should be observed during the child's recovery period. In this way, it can be ensured that the surgery yields successful results and the child has a comfortable recovery process.
Prices for otoplasty surgery in Turkey can vary depending on the scope of the procedure, the clinic where the surgery will be performed and the experience of the surgeon. Prices usually vary according to the services offered by the hospital and the surgeon. For this reason, it is worthwhile to do a detailed research before the surgery and get price quotes from more than one clinic.
The techniques used in otoplasty surgery are performed behind the ear or in natural folds to ensure that scars are as little visible as possible. Therefore, the risk of scarring is very low in most patients and becomes less prominent over time.
After otoplasty, some patients may experience a temporary loss of sensation around their ears, which is usually normal and goes away on its own with the healing process. The risk of a permanent loss of sensation is low, but the experience of the surgeon can affect this.
Postoperative swelling and bruising usually become apparent in the first few days and subside within 1-2 weeks. These symptoms are expected to disappear over time during the healing process of the patients, but the healing process of each individual may vary.
The risk of the ears becoming deformed again after otoplasty is low, but over time there may be slight changes in the natural aging process of the ears. Surgery performed with the right technique usually provides long-lasting results
The treatments will be carried out at contracted healthcare institutions holding international health tourism authorization licenses.
