Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery used to reshape the external ear. Otoplasty candidates opt for the surgery in the attempt to correct many different ear abnormalities including ears that flare out from the skull, over sized ears, asymmetrical ears, deformed or damaged ears, as well as microtic and absent ears.
Otoplasty does not alter a person’s ability to hear; it is primarily preformed because the patient is dissatisfied with the appearance of their ears. Optimal surgical results are achieved when the cartilage is thin and extremely pliable and this is the case when the patient is young. Most otoplasty or ear shaping surgeries are preformed on children ages 5-14. Surgery can be preformed as soon as the ears are fully grown which usually occurs by age five.
Choosing surgery for your child at a young age may help them avoid years of the teasing and name calling that often accompany prominent deformed ears. Although the psychological benefits are great and risks are minimal, it still may be difficult for parents to put their young child under the knife and kids can undergo a lot of stress when faced with a surgical procedure. But when parents properly prepare themselves as well as their children, the whole experience can be a positive one.
When deciding if it is the right time for the operation, consider your child’s feelings. Is your child self conscious of his or her ears? Does he or she even know their ears are abnormal or prominent? Does the child want surgery?
If the child wants the procedure, she is more likely to cooperate with doctors and surgeons in a calm and obedient manner. As the parent, you get to decide whether it is best to wait until your child feels self conscious or if it is better to have the surgery before the child is ever called “Dumbo”.
Before the surgery, discuss anesthesia options with your doctor. When operating on small children, most surgeons elect to put the children completely under using general anesthesia.
Ear reshaping surgery usually takes two to three hours so if your child is old enough and mature enough to remain calm hold relatively still for that length of time, the surgery may be preformed using only local anesthesia combined with a sedative. You know your child best and will be able to make the most suitable decision.
Following the procedure, your child’s head will be heavily bandaged to protect the ear from infection and to promote correct healing. You will receive specific post operative instructions of how to care for the dressing. It is important that your child be careful when playing and sleeping, so as to not disturb the bandage or the ear.
Your child may experience some throbbing pain around the ear, but acetaminophen or ibuprofen should limit the pain. Your child should be able to return to school activities after a week, but they should continue to play carefully and avoid activities in which the ear could be hit. It might be a good idea to tell the teacher to keep.