Ears, which are a complementary part of facial aesthetics, is one of the most interested aesthetic types that attract the attention of people from a young age.

Ears that have problems in cartilage formation for various reasons may develop a disorder called prominent ear. Ear sizes may be smaller or larger than normal.

Unlike other aesthetic surgery branches, this operation can also be applied to people in childhood since ear development is completed from the age of 6. In this case, the person may be exposed to experiencing psychological and traumatic conditions from childhood. In such cases, otoplasty is activated and surgical intervention can be performed on the ears to provide an aesthetic appearance.

Otoplasty is an ear shaping operation applied to remove the prominent ear appearance, large ear appearance and insufficient folds in the auricle. Success rate and patient satisfaction are high. Prominent ear surgery is performed by plastic surgeons.

How Is Otoplasty Surgery Performed?

Prominent ear surgery (otoplasty) is usually performed under local anesthesia and sedation under operating room conditions and takes about 1-1.5 hours. General anesthesia may also be preferred for children.

Prominent ear surgery is usually performed through incisions placed in the folds behind the ear and leaves almost no marks.

The most applied method is to weaken the excess cartilage in the ear by scratching or filing, to remove it when necessary, and to give the ear a new more curved shape towards the back with absorbed or non-absorbed sutures. Personalized operation planning will give the best results.

There are many different surgical techniques for correcting prominent ears.

In children or young patients, shaping can be done with sutures, as cartilage elasticity is high. To give the cartilage the desired shape, certain areas can be marked and folded, thinned and weakened; if there is excess cartilage or soft tissue, it can be removed.

Regardless of the technique applied, an incision is made from the fold behind the ear. This incision is closed with appropriate suture materials selected considering the aesthetic result and firmness.
At the end of the surgery, a dressing is applied to the newly formed auricle to apply a slight pressure.

How Does the Postoperative Process Progress?

There are no serious pain complaints after the surgery, and pain medications are usually sufficient when necessary.

At the end of the surgery, the bandage applied on the treated ears is changed several times in the first week according to the need and then it is removed. If the sutures that should be removed during the surgery are used, they are also taken in the control performed in the first week.

It is recommended that patients use a bandage or headband to keep the ears in the appropriate position while laying down for the first two weeks continuously for the first month.