Ears

Otoplasty

An operation for protruding ears aims to “bring back” the ears. The most common is that this operation is done in pre-school age but adults as well can undergo surgery. The ear can protrude very differently and it is important to describe ones wishes on the position of the ears at the consultation. The surgery for protruding ears is done under light anesthesia, and you can go home the same day. During surgery an incision is done in the back of the ears and sometimes some skin is cut away. The ear cartilage is reduced making it easier to bend it backwards. The cartilage is fixed in its new position with a couple of stitches and the skin sutured thereafter. You get a bandage over the ears and around the head after surgery which has to be worn for barely 1 week. Thereafter, the bandage should be worn at night for 1-2 weeks. The ears become very blue and swollen after surgery. It takes about 3 weeks until it decreases.

The pain is usually sharp, the first night after surgery. It hurts to lie on the ears. The pain subsides during the first week. It is important to take the painkillers you have been recommended e.g. Alvedon, Citodon or Dexofen. Pills containing aspirin can increase bleeding tendency and should be avoided five days prior to surgery. The stitches are removed after 7-9 days. Complications are rare, but occasionally one might think that the position of the ears is not as you wished. In this case you may need to do an additional re-positioning of the ears after 6 months. You can go back to work after a week but you will need to cover your ears as they can still be red and swollen. Exercise may be resumed after 3 weeks at the earliest, or when all the bruises are gone.