Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Information – Sydney & Canberra

Otoplasty helps to correct the aesthetic appearance of ears

Ear Surgery Procedure

Pinnaplasty can be carried out under general anaesthetic (it is usually recommended for children) or local anaesthetic and may be carried out simultaneously with most other facial surgeries. The incisions are generally placed behind the ear The cartilage of the ear is remodelled and on occasion, some of the cartilage may be removed. The sutures (stitches) are usually removed one week post operatively or may be absorbable which will not require removal.

Ear Surgery – After your operation

After surgery the ears may be re-covered with a large head dressing which must be worn for one week. After this it is advisable to wear a tennis headband for eight weeks at night and during any contact sports.Occasionally a bandage may slip post operatively causing one ear to heal in a slightly different position to the other, which may necessitate minor correction under local anaesthetic.

It is normal to feel moderate discomfort following pinnaplasty. There may still be some bruising and swelling on removal of the dressings but this will settle rapidly within a week or two and the improvement in the prominence of the ears will be apparent. Numbness is fairly common, but the ears will eventually return to normal. Mild infection is possible around the stitch line after surgery but this is usually resolved quite quickly. Particular care is taken during the operation to stop any bleeding from the small blood vessels divided during surgery. Occasionally a small blood vessel leaks post operatively causing bleeding and this may necessitate a return to the theatre. However, this situation is rare.

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