Otoplasty (Prominent Ear Surgery)
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What is Otoplasty (Prominent Ear Surgery)?
One of our sensory organs that allows the body to communicate with its environment is the hearing organ, the ear. It consists of three sections: the inner, middle and outer ear, and the sections other than the pinna (auricle) are located inside the skull and are not visible from the outside.
The pinna, which collects the sounds around it with its folds and structural forms, concentrates the sound waves, transforms them into the most suitable acoustic form and transmits them to the ear canal, and protects the middle and inner ear from sudden sounds, dust and dirt, is also very important in terms of aesthetics in addition to the tasks it undertakes.
The ears, which are located on both sides of the head in the form of protrusions, directly affect the appearance of the face. If they are too large, small or crooked, they disrupt the symmetry of the face and create an ugly appearance.
Under normal conditions, the distance between the outer edge of the earlobe and the head is at most 2 cm, and the angle between the auricle and the head is at most 200 in women and 250 in men. The dimensions of the auricle are usually normal and proportional to the size of the skull. However, according to research, the distance and angle values are greater than they should be in 1 out of every 20 people.
The problem of the ear appearing disproportionately large with the face due to the angle between the pinna and the head area being more than 200/250 is called Prominent Ear. Prominent ear is the most common deformity related to the ear. The term “prominent” is also used in different cultures as “sail, basket, cup, bat”. It can be seen in both ears or in one ear.
TREATMENT PROCESS
Otoplasty
How Many Sessions Are Performed
1 Session
Sensitivity Time
10 Days
Duration of Persistence
Lifetime
Processing Time
2 Hours
When to Return to Work
7 Days Later
Anesthesia
General-Local Anesthesia
Full Recovery Time
20 Days
What are the Causes of Prominent Ears?
Protruding ears are a genetically transmitted problem that is present from birth. 85% of ear development is completed by the age of three and reaches the required size by the age of 15. In other words, in children up to the age of three, the ear size is already large compared to the skull. For this reason, there are cases that are present at birth but cannot be detected and become apparent later.
The anatomical disorder that causes the prominent ear problem and is transmitted through genes may be due to the cartilage structure in the ear having loose tissues, the angle between the bone behind the ear and the pinna being more than 200/250, or the upper folds of the pinna not being fully formed.
How is Protruding Ear Surgery Performed?
Today, as a result of advances in medicine in parallel with technological developments, the problem of protruding ears can be solved with very simple interventions. The procedure of adjusting the correct angle of the ear and / or shaping the cartilage with surgical intervention in order to solve the problem of protruding ears and obtain a normal appearance is called Protruding Ear Surgery (Otoplasty).
In newborn babies, the cartilage structure is more flexible and malleable in the first 3 days, since the estrogen level transmitted from the mother is very high. If prominent ears are noticed during this period, the ear angle can be adjusted with specially produced tapes and wires and the problem can be solved permanently in an average of one month. In children who have passed the non-surgical intervention period, if it is detected; intervention between the ages of 4-6, when ear development is largely completed and the preschool period, helps the child get rid of prominent ears without being exposed to negative pressure from their environment and without causing a psychological problem, and grow up as a healthy and self-confident individual.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is otoplasty performed?
Surgery is usually performed through an incision in the skin behind the ear. The ear cartilage is shaped, reduced if necessary, and the ear is fixed in a position closer to the head.
Is otoplasty a permanent solution?
Yes, otoplasty usually provides a permanent solution. The new position of the ears is usually fixed long-term.