The prominent ear is the reason for the first encounter with peer bullying, especially for early-age and school-age children. Being made fun of because of one’s ears from childhood can create serious traumatic effects in later life. Although prominent ear syndrome is usually a result of genetic factors, it is the fact that the ear cartilages do not show sufficient development or that they stand more angled and droop anteriorly and laterally due to their weakness. By the age of 5, the development of the ear is completed and from this age, the person can undergo this operation at any time. While an adult can have this operation whenever they want, it is recommended that families have the prominent ear aesthetics operation before the child’s school age.
Small incisions behind the ear are often made by the surgeon during surgery to gain access to the underlying cartilage. The cartilage will then be reshaped using methods like scoring or suturing, which can assist to give the ear a more natural contour and lessen its prominence.
The surgeon will move the ear closer to the head after the cartilage has been reshaped, and he or she may use sutures or other tools to keep it in place as it heals. Following the use of surgical glue or sutures to close the incisions, a bandage or dressing is placed over the ear to keep it covered as it heals initially.
Otoplasty recovery normally takes several weeks, during which the patient must refrain from heavy activities and take extra care to prevent bumping or injuring their ears. While some swelling and bruising are normal in the first few days following surgery, these side effects will eventually go away, and the majority of patients can resume their regular activities within a few weeks.
Ultimately, otoplasty can help many patients feel more confident and improve their quality of life by reducing the appearance of bulging or malformed ears. Otoplasty does come with some risks and potential drawbacks, so it’s crucial for patients to carefully weigh their options and pick a qualified and experienced surgeon before having the treatment done.
