Protruding ears, prominent ears , bat ears are synonyms that describes an ear sticking far away from your head with more than 2 cms. It’s usually in both ears however sometimes it affects only one ear. If it bothers you or if your kid is bullied at school or it has any psychological impact on you, you might consider “otoplasty” .
Otoplasty is the surgery to correct prominent ears by reshaping of the defective cartilage framework and removal of the excess skin.
Who is Indicated for otoplasty
- At least one of your ears or both sticking out of your head so much
- You think your ear is larger than it should be
- Those who had a previous otoplasty and unsatisfied with the results.
- Other cases like cup ears/lopears
When to consider prominent ear surgery
Otoplasty should be done after the age of 5-6 years old for the following reasons;
- not to affect the cartilage growth of your child ear
- Also to avoid the psychological trauma and bullying that could happen in this age at school.
Infants and babies parents who might be concerned about their kids protruding ears may consider non-surgical options like earwell or earbuddies.
Adults are safe to perform otoplasty at any age.
Otoplasty steps
Anesthesia
It could be done under local anesthesia with mild sedation, or general anesthesia in adults. However in children it is strictly general anesthesia.
The Procedure
The technique for surgery varies from one case to another according to :
- Age
- Cartilage malleability
- Type of deformity; whether you need correction in the upper third of the ear, upper and middle third or the whole ear.
Dr Mohamed Ashraf will explain exactly what technique is suitable for your case in your consultation and the expected results
Incisions are made behind the ear around the crease between the head and ear which makes hardly seen by others from any direction.
The cartilage framework is dealt with accordingly by excision or remodelling and excess skin are excised if needed to.
Recovery from prominent ears surgery
Otoplasty is a day-case surgery where the patient can return home in the same day of surgery. The pain is usually mild with the aid of analgesics we prescribe.
Day 1 (day of surgery) |
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3rd day (after surgery) |
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7th day (after surgery) |
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10th day (after surgery) |
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You’ll have a bandage around your ear day and night for 5-7 days after surgery, and only at night for another couple of weeks.
The bandage should fit loose and it shouldn’t leave indentations in your forehead.
Possible risks in otoplasty
like any surgical procedure there’s always some risks
- Blood collection under the skin (hematoma)
- Asymmetry between both sides
- Wound infection
- Recurrence of the deformity. Adults are at higher risks as their cartilage are usually harder to mold.
- Keloids (a swelling results from excessive healing of the scar)
What is the cost of a prominent ear surgery in Egypt
The cost of otoplasty in Egypt varies from one surgeon to another according to his experience and skills. Also the facility (hospital) costs are greatly variable in Egypt. Dr Mohamed Ashraf has been in practice since 2007. He Had his MD thesis in prominent ears surgery techniques where he did hundreds of successful cases.
In order to determine the price of otoplasty surgery Dr Mohamed Ashraf would like to assess the case either by a clinic appointment ,online consultation or sending photos of the case.
Otoplasty FAQ
How long does a prominent ear surgery usually take?
Depends on the case if it’s just one prominent ear, or its both ears. So it usually takes from 1 hour to 3 hours.
Is Prominent ear surgery (otoplasty) painful?
No, with normal analgesics after the surgery it’s not painful. However mild pain usually normal but if the pain is severe you should immediately consult your surgeon.
What Type of anesthesia is used in prominent ear surgery?
Local anesthesia with mild sedation or general anesthesia. However in children it’s usually general anesthesia.
Are the results for an otoplasty permanent?
Yes, results should be permanent after the procedure. However recurrence of the deformity is not uncommon especially in adults.
Do you perform metal clips otoplasty procedure?
Metal clip outpatient otoplasty procedure is a relatively new technique with a few published studies regarding it’s safety and longevity. So the answer is No i don’t use metal clips in any of my cases.
