Aesthetic Ear Surgery

What are the causes of prominent ear? Is prominent ear a disease?

Deformity in the ears or prominent ear condition develops due to congenital or genetic factors, and since it has no effect on the general condition of the body or metabolism, especially on the hearing function, it is not considered as a disease. In addition, it is not a sign of any disease.

How is otoplasty performed?

Prominent ear surgery (otoplasty), an aesthetic surgical procedure that carries no serious risk and causes no side effect to other parts of the body and hearing function, should be performed by a specialist plastic surgeon in a clinical or hospital setting. At the discretion of the physician, it is performed under general or local anesthesia, depending on the age and general health of the patient.

Otoplasty operations usually take 30 to 120 minutes. The technique that the physician uses during the surgery may vary depending on the structure and deformity of the ear. The surgical operation can be performed from the front or back of the ear. In otoplasty operations, an incision is made in front of or behind the ear, and then the desired shape is given to the ear by using one of the suture techniques (closing the incision site with a medical needle and thread) that the surgeon deems appropriate for the patient.

Depending on the problem in the ear, a cartilage excision (cartilage removal) can be performed where necessary.  

 Preparation process before an otoplasty operation

The physician examines the patient before the operation, and plans the surgical procedures in detail, based on what should be done in line with the patient’s expectation and depending on the problem in the ear. Then, the physician may request certain examinations depending on the age and general health status of the patient. If the patient takes any drug on a regular basis, this should be reported to the physician.

On the day of the operation, blood thinners such as aspirin and certain derivatives or herbal teas that will create the same effect should not be used.  On the day of the operation, patients should not wear any ear jewelry or accessories, and should not apply make-up, hair gel or other products with chemical ingredients, as they may come into contact with the ears.

Postoperative period of otoplasty

Within a few hours after the operation, a mild pain is felt in the operation area. In cases where the physician deems necessary, painkillers are recommended and they are adequate. At the end of the operation, bandage is applied to the operated ear or ears.

Depending on the condition, the bandage can be changed several times within the first postoperative week. The general postoperative recovery period can be 2 to 3 weeks. However, in operations where the ear is reshaped with sutures, the auricle should be protected from any trauma that may damage the ear, such as blows and pulling for a period of about 1 to 2 months. This protection will have an effect on the length of the recovery period.

How long is a band worn after otoplasty?

After the surgery, special bands covering the ear are worn for usually 1-2 weeks or for a period that the physician deems appropriate. Especially after the first two postoperative weeks, bandages or headbands can be worn for a period of one month or for a period that the physician deems appropriate.

Does otoplasty cause hearing problems?

The auricle structurally takes its shape in two ways. Prominent ear is formed when the curve called antihelix in the auricle is not fully developed, and when the cartilage that constitutes the concha (conchal cartilage) in the inner part of the auricle develops excessively. The surgical procedure performed to correct this condition affects only the external shape of the ear, and does not affect or harm the hearing function in any way.

Does otoplasty leave any scar?

At the end of the surgery, the incision made in front or behind the ear is closed with sutures. However, since the procedure is usually performed behind the ear, it leaves a hardly visible scar that does not cause aesthetic discomfort in the postoperative period. This scar behind the ear heals over time and turns into an unnoticeable thin line.

Can a prominent ear be corrected in a single surgical session?

The developments in technology and medicine that have been experienced in recent years have led to the development of new aesthetic operation techniques. As a result, prominent ear has become a problem that can be permanently solved with a single surgical operation using modern surgical techniques. In some cases, asymmetry in the ears may develop in the long term or the prominent ear problem may reappear over time. Such a quite rare case may require a surgical operation again.

Is otoplasty a risky procedure?

The postoperative recovery period may differ from patient to patient, but it is completed within a month on average. After this recovery period, the deformity called prominent ear disappears permanently. Otoplasty does not cause a problem in any other part of the body, including hearing function, and does not carry any risk to the general state of health. Hearing function is definitely not affected during the postoperative recovery period.

Pediatric Otoplasty (Prominent Ear Surgery)

In cases where the prominent ear condition is detected by a physician in children, whose problems are noticed by their parents in early infancy and who were then taken to a clinic for examination, it is possible to solve the problem permanently without the need for surgical operations at older ages, by using one of a variety of elastic bands under the physician’s control for a period of time that the physician deems suitable.

However, if the early infancy period has been missed, the time of the surgery is determined based on the result of the examination to be performed by the physician. It is generally recommended to perform the procedure at around 6 years of age in the preschool period.

A surgical intervention made in the preschool period, especially in childhood, is of great importance for the child to become a more self-confident individual by stepping into adulthood in a psychologically and socially healthy way.  Besides these, otoplasty can be performed at any age.

In what age range is otoplasty performed?

The development of the auricle structure is completed usually at around 6 years of age but can also be completed at 9 to 10 years of age. From these ages, otoplasty can be performed at any age.

Are the costs of otoplasty covered by the state?

Since otoplasty is within the scope of special needs and aesthetic surgery, its costs are not covered by state hospitals or SSI (Social Security Institution).

Otoplasty (Prominent Ear Surgery) Prices

The price of otoplasty operations vary depending on the experience of the surgeon who will perform the procedure, the clinical environment where the operation will be done, and the quality of the materials that will be used in the operation. You can call our clinic to get detailed information and  make an appointment.