The correction of protruding ears is one of the most popular plastic surgeries in Brazil. According to data from the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, Brazil is among the first countries in the world in protruding ear surgeries, which are procedures that adjust the size and shape of the ears that project out of the head.
Despite being a very common surgery, many people still have questions about how it is done, what are the risks and benefits. To clarify these issues and dispel some myths, Dr. Nelsoni de Almeida, otorhinolaryngologist and member of the Brazilian Academy of Facial Surgery, provides important information about otoplasty:
Otoplasty only corrects prominent ears. MITO. The popular “outstanding ear” is the most common reason for performing otoplasty. This is a set of changes that project the ears disproportionately away from the head, making them appear more open. But otoplasty can also correct the size of the ears, traumatic deformations and the lobe – when projected forward, or even if torn by the use of earrings and piercings.
“Protruding ear” is a genetic inheritance. TRUE. The variants of the anatomy that result in the prominence of the ears are hereditary, however they do not appear in all people who have a predisposition in their genetic background. However, it is more common for people to have several family members with the same problem.
Whatever the case, it is possible to reverse the shape of the ears with molds. MITO. Some therapies, when applied in the first weeks of the baby’s life, bring good results through molding with appliances. But after this phase, the effective and traditional way is surgery.
Otoplasty can be performed on children. TRUE. It is recommended to have the surgery from the age of six, when the cartilage of the ears has practically reached its full size. But realization in young people and adults is also very common.
Otoplasty interferes with hearing. MITO. The procedure is done entirely externally, without any interference with the auditory nervous system.
It is necessary to use bandage in the postoperative period. TRUE. The patient is bandaged around 24 to 48 hours after the surgery and then uses a bandage to protect the ear during the night, in the first fortnight after the surgery.
The scars are apparent. MITO. There are several forms of surgery, basically divided into techniques of cutting or suturing the cartilage – these reconstruct the curvature of the cartilages in a more natural way. In all of them, the scars are placed in the posterior region of the ear, making the mark practically imperceptible.
The results favor much more than aesthetics. TRUE. Prominent ears are characteristics highlighted in the negative practice of bullying, especially among school-age children and adolescents, and also a reason for dissatisfaction with their own image in adults of different ages. Its harmonization is highly important for the quality of self-esteem and well-being.
Clinical condition of the patient to be submitted to an otoplasty:
Protruding ears correction surgery requires that the patient must meet some clinical conditions, such as:
- Be over 5 years old, as this is when the ear cartilage stops growing;
- Not having infections or chronic illnesses that could affect healing or anesthesia;
- Not having allergies to medications or materials used in surgery;
- Have realistic expectations about outcome and recovery.
In addition, it is important that the patient undergoes a prior medical evaluation to check if there are any contraindications or risks for the surgery. The plastic surgeon should also advise on pre- and post-operative care, possible side effects and complications that may occur.
