What it is?
             Cosmetic ear surgery or Otoplasty is a procedure to move very large or prominent ears closer to the head.

Description
             Cosmetic ear surgery can be OPD or indoor procedure. It can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs the area around the ears, or general anesthesia, which will cause you to sleep through the entire operation. The procedure usually lasts about 2 hours. During the most common method of cosmetic ear surgery, a surgeon makes a cut in the back of the ear and removes the skin to see the ear cartilage. The cartilage is folded to reshape the ear, bringing it closer to the head. Sometimes the surgeon will cut the cartilage before folding it. Stitches are used to close the wound.

Procedure



             Every year thousands of otoplasties are performed successfully. The surgery may be done in the surgeon's office-based facility, in an outpatient surgical facility, or in a hospital. The surgery is performed while the patient is awake but pain free (local anesthetic) or deep asleep and pain free (general anesthetic). The procedure usually lasts about two hours, depending on the extent of the correction needed. The most commonly employed technique is one in which the surgeon makes incisions in the back of the ear and removes skin to expose the ear cartilage. Sutures are used to fold the cartilage to reshape the ear. Other surgeons choose to forgo sutures in favor of cutting or abrading the cartilage before folding it. The ear is brought closer to the head by creating a more pronounced fold (called the antihelix) in the central portion of the ear. The external structures of the ear may aid in diagnosing some conditions by the presence or absence of normal landmarks and abnormal features including: earlobe creases, pre-auricular pits, and pre-auricular tags.

Why the Procedure Is Performed
             The procedure can be done after a child reaches age 5 or 6, when ear growth is almost finished. However, if the ears are very disfigured (lop ears), the child should have surgery early to avoid possible emotional stress at school.

Risks
             Complications such as blood clots and infection are uncommon. The child might need a second operation if the ear occasionally sticks out again.

After the Procedure
             The ears are covered with a bulky bandage after surgery. Any tenderness and discomfort can easily be controlled with medication. If the surgery is done in a hospital, the child should go home the same day or the next day.



             Bulky, moderate pressure dressing cover ear with a following surgery. There is usually some tenderness and discomfort that is easily controlled by medication. Most patients leave the hospital on the same day, or shortly thereafter. Within two to four days, the outer pressure dressings are removed but the patient is asked to wear a light head dressing for two to three weeks to promote healing. Faint scars are concealed in the flexion creases behind the ears; there are no incisions in front of the ears.

Prognosis
             Bandages remain for 2 - 4 days, but the child will need to wear a light head wrap for 2 - 3 weeks to promote healing. Scars are very light and located in the creases behind the ears. The decision on when to return to school and normal activities depends on how fast the child heals.

Reference:  MedlinePlus