Otoplasty
 Otoplasty or surgery of the ear is mainly performed to either
reduce the overall size and shape of the ears or to
set protruding ears back closer towards the head. This
procedure is mostly performed on children ages four
through fourteen although the risks are no greater when
performing it on an adult. Ears, for the most part,
are fully grown by age four. Many children have this
surgery done early in life because ears, like all other
physical attributes, cause ridicule when they are ‘different’.
This surgery can help children side step that ridicule
and hopefully live a happier life.
The Procedure
Otoplasty involves the surgeon making a small incision
in the back of the ear which provides access to the
ear cartilage. Once exposed, the cartilage can be either
re-shaped or removed. The surgeon will most likely try
to shape the cartilage and bend it back towards the
head, but if the excessive cartilage is too overwhelming,
the surgeon will cut it and re-shape it. When done,
the surgeon will apply non-removable stitches which
will hold the new shape. The ear is then stitched closed.
Will It Hurt?
Each Otoplasty procedure usually takes about two to three hours
although some could take longer. Immediately after the
procedure, the patient’s head will be wrapped
in thick bandages. This will help to keep the shape
and mold of the ears. The ears will hurt or ache for
a few days following the procedure, but this will eventually
subside. After several days, the heavy bandages will
be replaced with lighter ones, and after a week the
stitches will either dissolve or be removed.
What Will My Results Be?
A faint scar will be left on the back of the ear, but
if the incision is done within one of the natural folds
of the ear, the scar will be hidden. After about a week
of down-time and several weeks of taking it easy, patients
should see their ears in their final re-shaped form. The
ears will never be perfectly symmetrical (most ears aren’t)
but this procedure can drastically alter the shape of
a patients ears.
What Are The Costs?
The cost for Otoplasty surgery usually ranges between $3,000
and $4,000. This can fluctuate depending on the area
in which you live, the doctor you go to, and the difficulty
a case might present. This price is also based only
on doctor’s fees. There are other fees that will
accompany this procedure. This surgery can be well worth
the time and energy because it makes symmetrical ears
a real possibility.
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