OTOPLASTY, the Correction of the very big or prominent ears
 The otoplasty is the surgical intervention used to correct deformities of the ears. The prominent ears or projected toward out are usually jeer reason, which can affect the self-esteem of people that present these alterations.
By means of otoplasty it is possible to remodel, to diminish, to fasten or replace the ears, keeping in mind the general balance of the face. The otorhyno facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jorge Alberto Espinosa Reyes, carries out a photographic study in which doctor and patient can approach to the later results of a surgery of ears. This procedure is ambulatory and it is possible to fulfill it from the 6 years, the ears complete its development around this age. The results can be seen after one week.
Frequents Questions
 ¿Am I candidate to this surgery?
If you or your son feels that have some really prominent ears, they are extended toward or are exaggeratedly big, and experience annoyance for it; it is possible that you require this surgery. Some patients don't use short hair to hide the prominent ears and some women don't pick up their hair and don't use hairstyles that could make evident this problem. Don't forget, however that all modification in the face need of the medical facial plastic surgeon's consultantship that is the specialist of the face. He will value the necessity of this intervention under anthropometric parameters.
¿What is analyzed in the consultation?
Dr. Espinosa accustoms to carry out several previous appointments to inform completely on the procedure and to evaluate the patient's physical conditions. In the first appointment the surgeon inspects the situation of the ears visually, analyzes photographically by computer the current conditions in front of the possible results and orders the exams of routine laboratory. In a second consultation the results of the laboratory exams are valued, they are observed the images again by computer and it is explained to the patient how the intervention will be done. Dr. Espinosa is always willing to receive and to solve any restlessness from his patients with the purpose that they arrive the calmest possible to the surgery. A realistic attitude in front of the results and a relationship of wide understanding among doctor and patient, become indispensable requirements for the success of the surgery
¿What age can this surgery be carried out from?
It is possible to accomplish this intervention starting from the 6 years old time in that the ears reach their development. This time coincide with the entrance of the children to school, with the jeers and their partners' jokes. Many mature patients are also carried out this surgery, they have probably thought it during several years and the moment of taking the decision arrives.
¿How is carried out this surgery?
The most frequent deformation in the ear is the increase of the angle between the pavilion and the head (conchal-mastoid angle), and the loss of the natural relief of the ear (the anthelix). to correct these defects the surgeon applies different techniques in which, under local or general anesthesia, create the natural pleats again and takes the pavilion closer to head. The location of these pleats determines the symmetry and the harmonic appearance of the face. The incisions are placed behind the ears in such a way that are rarely visible even with very short hair or with the hair picked up. This surgery allows the patients to return to their habitual works around one week after the operation. It is important to remember that the two ears are not ever exactly same and that very small variations can still persist after the correction.
In case the deformity is only presented in one of the ears, the usual thing is to intervene both in order to avoiding asymmetries.
Dr. Espinosa for his specialty as otorhynolaringologist, specialized in ear, nose and throat, and as medical facial surgeon possesses a high knowledge of the techniques employed in the correction of prominent ears.
¿What type of anesthesia is used?
It is possible to fulfill this procedure under local anesthesia and in an ambulatory way. As many of the patients they are usually very small children, the doctor can recommend the use of intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. In adults, local anesthesia that allows the person to be awake, without pain and absolutely calm. In any event the medical anesthesiologist remains attentive to the monitor and administration of the sedation, during the whole time that the surgery lasts in the surgery room.
Once concluded the surgery, the patient passes to our room of post anesthetic care where will be supervised and controlled by qualified personnel. When the patient is recovering the conscience is passed to a recovery room adapted especially to their necessities. Dr. Espinosa will wait your complete recovery to prescribe the appropriate medication and to give you of high.
¿How much time the surgery takes?
Generally has duration from 1 to 2 hours and for more complicated cases a little more. This depends from the ear deformation and the techniques to use
¿There will be visible scars?
The surgery used to correct the deformation of the "ears in screen" is made through incisions that are behind the ear, so are rarely visible. There will be some thin and pale scars in the natural pleat of the setback of the ear that are not evident.
¿How is the post surgery time?
After the surgery the patient wakes up totally calm and without pain. The patient will maintain a bandage around the head whose function is to maintain the position, to protect and to optimize the scaring process, besides helping to reduce the swelling.
Dr. Espinosa will wait to your complete stabilization and recovery to prescribe some medications and to give you of high. Naturally, the person will foresee the return to house with somebody that accompany and takes care of him/her at least for the first post surgery day. Anti-inflammatory are prescribed to reduce the swell, antibiotics to diminish infection risks and analgesic to minimize the eventual nuisances.
It is necessary to go to the controls for change of bandages and observation of the wounds the patient it will take this bandage from 5 to 8 days, to protect the operated area and to help to control the inflammation. It is advisable to use this bandage in the nights until completing one month after surgery.
¿What can I wait after surgery?
The patient that has been subjected to an otoplasty should take a bandage for some days, circumstance that slows the perception of immediate changes. The patient should be prepared for an inflammatory process that will give with the step of the days. As it passes the time and the swelling the person will be able to see the positive change of their physiognomy slowly.
It is important to keep in mind that the two ears are not ever exactly same and that very small variations can still persist after the correction.
Have in mind that what is gotten with an otoplasty is an improvement of the aspect and positioning of the ears, not their perfection. Remember that the plastic surgery is the art in medicine and not a exact science.
¿Is it possible to reduce the size of the ears?
Yes. The otoplasty allows to the surgeon to relocate, to model and to diminish the size, until making more symmetrical the ears.
¿Would the surgery of ears be able to affect the audition?
No. The part of the hearing dedicated to the audition is not modified for what there won't be changes in the form like the patient perceives the sounds.
¿How much time does the recovery takes?
The patient will be able to return to the habitual works after one week. It is not recommended to carry out works that demand abrupt movements or demand strong corporal work. The sports will also expect an additional time. The definitive results will be able to be valued after 4 weeks.
Dr. Espinosa recommends:
Before Surgery:
1. In the case of the patient children, it is recommended that parents talk to them the most clearly about the procedure, how they will feel later and especially, to make emphasis in the benefits of the surgery, through a simple but truthful language.
2. Don't consume medications that contain salicylic acid (Aspirin) and derivates.
3. Not to have smoked at least one month before the surgery (adults).
4. To inform from possible allergies to medications.
5. To maintain realistic expectations with regard to the results of the surgery.
After Surgery:
1. Check on exit that the formula, disability order and date of medical control order has been delivered.
2. The feeding after first day can be normal.
3. Although the pain is usually minimal, inside the formulated medications an analgesic is included. Take it according to the indications scored in the formula. If you ends up noticing severe or persistent pain communicates immediately with us. Avoid taking Aspirin or medications that contain acetylsalicylic acid.
4. You can use your eyes to read or match TV as frequently as you wish.
5. You should rest at home during the first 3 to 5 days.
6. When you move, get up or change position, make it carefully the first 7 days.
7. You shouldn't do exercise neither lift things weighed by 15 days. You will be able to only do light aerobic exercise after three weeks and intense exercise after 6 weeks
8. E In general terms you will be able to return to your normal activity in a lapse from 5 to 8 days, if it is not exposed to drastic changes of environmental temperature, severe physical efforts or high risk of traumas or blows in the face.. Avoid the prolonged exposition to low temperatures or to suffocating heats.
9. You should sleep semi seated (at least with two pillows) during the first days to facilitate the decrease of the inflammation and avoiding to place the head by side, it should be avoided all pressure or close contact on the ears.
10. As it has been worked in the ears you shouldn't use heavy earrings during at least 6 weeks.
11. To avoid undesirable changes you should not be exposed to sun directly during the first 2 months. When in outdoors you should use protection like parasol or hat.
12. To avoid any blow, don’t carry small children or pets after the surgery
13. You will be able to wash your hair with shampoo at the 72 hours after the surgery avoiding strong massages. Be careful not to injure with the brush the wounds that are around the ears. Don't use dryer for 5 days and postpone any wavy or permanent dye of the hair at least during one month after the surgery.
14. It is normal that is presented inflammation and lived that will disappear in a lapse from 8 to 15 days. If you present intense pain or fever without explanation contacts us immediately.
15. The lobes of your ears can be feel slept by some weeks, this will disappear as the tissues heal.
16. Once retired the bandage, is recommended to use in the nights an elastic band around the head, (as those that the tennis players use), at least for two weeks more, with the purpose of avoiding that during the dream the ear can bend forward.
17. It is very important that you follow the instructions given in the clinic and that attend the planned controls. In the event of needing additional information, don't doubt to communicate with us to solve any restlessness as soon as possible.
18. The previous ones are general indications; don't doubt to call us if you need some explanation. Remember that the success of the surgery depends in large part of the post surgery cares.
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