For most patients, surgery is performed at the age of 4- 14. At the age of 4, the human ear is fully developed. The earlier the operation, the less ridicule and pressure the child receives. Ear plastic surgery is also feasible for adults, and there is generally no more risk for older patients.
If you are considering ear plastic surgery for yourself or your child, this article will introduce the basic situation of the surgery-what situation requires surgery, how to perform it, and what effect will be achieved. Because everyone's situation is different, it can't answer all your questions. If you are not sure, please ask your plastic surgeon directly.
All operations have uncertainties and risks.
If the operation is performed by qualified and experienced plastic surgeons, the complications are rare and small. However, like all operations, this operation also has its risks and complications.
A few patients will form blood clots in their ears. It may fade by itself or it may be sucked out with a syringe.
Occasionally, the patient's cartilage will be infected, so it will form a scar. This infection is usually treated with antibiotics, and in rare cases, surgical drainage is needed.
Surgical plan
Most surgeons advise parents to closely observe their children's feelings about their ears, and then decide on surgery until the children propose to change their ears. Children who are dissatisfied with their ears and require surgery are more cooperative in the treatment process and satisfied with the treatment results.
At the first visit, the doctor will check and evaluate the patient's condition and introduce the most effective technology. He will also tell you what preparations you need to make before the operation.
Where is the operation?
Ear plastic surgery is generally performed in the outpatient operating room of the hospital. Sometimes because of anesthesia, the doctor will arrange hospitalization, and you may have to prepare for hospitalization 1-2 days.
anesthetize
If the child is young, the doctor may recommend the use of general anesthesia to keep the child asleep during the whole operation. For older children and adults, doctors like to use local anesthesia and sedatives to keep patients awake but relaxed during the whole operation.
operate
Plastic surgery usually takes 2-3 hours, and more complicated surgery takes a long time. The technology used depends on the conditions.
The most commonly used method is that the surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear to expose the ear cartilage. Then carve the cartilage and bend it backwards, close to the skull. Nowadays, absorbable sutures are widely used to keep the shape of ears. Sometimes, doctors need to remove a piece of cartilage so that the wrinkles in the ears look more natural after surgery.
Another technique is to make a similar incision behind the ear. Cut off part of the skin and fix the ear cartilage with suture to keep it folded without cutting the cartilage.
Most patients left an inconspicuous scar behind their ears after operation, which gradually subsided with time. Even if one ear protrudes, both ears are often operated to achieve a better balance.
Back to normal
During the operation for several hours, the patient usually has to toss and turn. It is best for children to stay in hospital for observation after operation and wait for the complete recovery of general anesthesia.
Immediately after operation, a large number of dressings and bandages were used to wrap the patient's head to ensure shaping and healing. Slight jumping pain or earache within a few days can be controlled by taking painkillers.
After a few days, remove the swollen dressing and wrap it with a small bandage. At this time, follow the doctor's advice. Usually, stitches are removed in one week.
Stop any activities that affect ear folding within one month. Adults can return to work five days after surgery. Children can go to school in a week, but they should pay attention to avoiding sports activities. Ask the teacher to look after the children for a few weeks.
Other problems with the ear
Many other ear problems can also be treated by surgery. Includes "hanging ears", whose ears are folded forward and drooped; "Cup-shaped ears" are often very small; The helix of the "shell ear" turns outwards, and the natural wrinkles disappear. Surgery can also correct the pulled earlobe. For patients with congenital microtia, the otology center of our hospital can carry out ear reconstruction, and its technology is leading in the world.
A more natural outer ear
No matter the patient's age, most patients are satisfied with the surgical effect. But remember, the purpose of surgery is improvement, not perfection. Don't expect two ears to be perfectly symmetrical-two ears can't be perfectly symmetrical and unnatural. If you have discussed the operation problems and your expectations with the plastic surgeon, you will be satisfied with the effect of your operation.
/Hospital/Hui You/
References:
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