About Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)
Otoplasty is often performed on children and teens to correct protruding ears. As a teen or adult, candidates should be non-smokers with generally good health. Children who wish to have this surgery should be over 5 years of age, not suffer from chronic ear infections, and be in generally good health. Otoplasty can help those whose:
Ear or ears stick out too far from their head
Ears are large in proportion to their head
Previous surgery left them unsatisfied
The otoplasty surgery is typically done on both ears to optimize symmetry. You should keep in mind that an otoplasty won’t change the location of your ears nor will it alter your hearing abilities.
What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a type of cosmetic surgery that aims to improve the appearance of the ears. It can change the size, shape, or position of the ears, or correct any deformities caused by injury or birth defects. Otoplasty can also help people who are unhappy with how far their ears stick out from their head, by pinning them back closer to the skull. This is also known as pinnaplasty or ear pinning.
Otoplasty is usually performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the age and preference of the patient. The surgery involves making a small incision behind the ear, where it is less visible, and reshaping the ear cartilage by cutting, folding, or suturing it. The incision is then closed with stitches and a bandage is applied around the head to protect the ears and keep them in place. The surgery can take between one to two hours, and the patient can usually go home the same day or the next day.
Otoplasty is generally a safe and effective procedure, with most patients being satisfied with the results. However, as with any surgery, there are some risks and complications that need to be considered. These include bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, overcorrection, under-correction, recurrence, and loss of sensation or function in the ears. Some of these complications may require further surgery to correct. Therefore, it is important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon and to follow their instructions before and after the surgery.
Otoplasty can have a positive impact on the self-esteem and confidence of people who are bothered by the appearance of their ears. It can also improve the balance and harmony of the facial features, and make it easier to wear certain hairstyles or accessories. Otoplasty is not a medical necessity, but a personal choice that should be made after careful consideration and consultation with a surgeon.
Who Can Benefit from Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that can improve the appearance and function of the ears. It can correct various ear deformities, such as protruding ears, misshapen ears, constricted ears, or injured ears. Otoplasty can benefit people of different ages and backgrounds, depending on their needs and expectations. Some of the potential benefits of otoplasty are:
Enhancing the self-esteem and confidence of people who are unhappy with their ears. Some studies have shown that otoplasty can improve the psychological well-being and quality of life of patients with prominent ears.
Restoring the balance and harmony of the facial features. Otoplasty can make the ears more proportional and symmetrical to the rest of the face, creating a more pleasing aesthetic appearance.
Improving the function and comfort of the ears. Otoplasty can help people who have difficulty wearing glasses, headphones, or earphones due to their ear shape or size. It can also reduce the risk of ear infections or irritation caused by rubbing or friction.
Repairing the damage caused by trauma or disease. Otoplasty can reconstruct the ears after an injury, such as a burn, laceration, or bite.
Otoplasty is not a medical necessity, but a personal choice that should be made after careful consideration and consultation with a qualified surgeon. The procedure is generally safe and effective, but it also involves some risks and complications, such as bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, or recurrence. Therefore, it is important to have realistic expectations and follow the surgeon's instructions before and after the surgery.
Otoplasty Procedure
Otoplasty Surgery Procedure Techniques
There are two main types of techniques used for otoplasty:
Surgical techniques: Involve making an incision behind the ear and reshaping the ear cartilage by cutting, folding, or suturing it. The incision is then closed with stitches and a bandage is applied around the head. Surgical techniques can correct various ear deformities, such as protruding ears, misshapen ears, constricted ears, or injured ears. They can also create or restore the antithetical fold, which is the natural curve of the ear that some people lack. Surgical techniques are usually performed under local or general anesthesia and can take between one to two hours. The recovery period can last several weeks, and the patient may need to avoid strenuous activities and contact sports.
Non-surgical techniques: Involve using moldable devices that are applied to the ear and guide the cartilage growth over several weeks. These devices can be worn at night or during the day and can be adjusted by the patient or the doctor. Non-surgical techniques can also correct prominent ears by creating the antithetical fold, but they do not require any incisions, stitches, or bandages. They are less invasive and have a shorter recovery time than surgical techniques. However, they may not be suitable for complex cases or for patients who have hard or thick cartilage.
Both surgical and non-surgical techniques can have a positive impact on the self-esteem and confidence of people who are unhappy with their ears. They can also improve the balance and harmony of the facial features, and make it easier to wear certain hairstyles or accessories.
Otoplasty Risks & Complications
Otoplasty has some risks and complications that need to be considered. Some of the risks are:
Perichondritis: This is an infection of the ear cartilage that can cause pain, swelling, redness, and pus. It can be treated with antibiotics, but it may damage the ear cartilage or cause permanent deformity.
Auricular hematoma: This is a collection of blood around the ear cartilage that can cause pain, swelling, bruising, and deformity. It can be treated by draining the blood and applying pressure, but it may recur or damage the ear cartilage.
Scarring: This is the formation of scar tissue at the site of the incision or sutures. It can cause itching, pain, or keloids (raised, thickened scars). It can be treated with creams, injections, or surgery, but it may affect the appearance or function of the ears.
Asymmetry: This is the difference in the size, shape, or position of the ears. It can be caused by uneven healing, infection, hematoma, or poor surgical technique. It can be treated with revision surgery, but it may affect the aesthetic outcome or cause dissatisfaction.
Overcorrection or under-correction: This is the failure to achieve the desired result of the surgery. It can be caused by inaccurate measurements, poor surgical technique, or unpredictable healing. It can be treated with revision surgery, but it may affect the aesthetic outcome or cause dissatisfaction.
Loss of sensation or function: This is the temporary or permanent impairment of the feeling or movement of the ears. It can be caused by nerve damage, infection, hematoma, or scarring. It can be treated with medication, physiotherapy, or surgery, but it may affect the comfort or function of the ears.
Otoplasty can have a positive impact on the appearance and well-being of the patient, but it also involves some risks and complications that need to be weighed against the benefits.
Otoplasty Recovery & Aftercare
Otoplasty recovery and aftercare vary depending on the technique used and the individual healing process of the patient. However, some general guidelines are:
The patient may experience some pain, swelling, bruising, or numbness in the ears for the first few days after the surgery. These can be managed with painkillers, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed by the surgeon.
The patient may have a bandage or a headband around the head to protect the ears and keep them in place. The bandage is usually removed after several days, while the headband may be worn for several weeks, especially at night.
The patient should avoid touching, scratching, or pulling the ears, as this may interfere with the healing process or cause infection. The patient should also keep the ears clean and dry, and follow the surgeon's instructions on how to care for the incision site and the stitches.
The patient should avoid sleeping on the side or putting pressure on the ears, as this may affect the shape or position of the ears. The patient should also avoid wearing glasses, headphones, or earphones until the ears are fully healed.
The patient should avoid strenuous activities and contact sports for several weeks, as this may cause bleeding, hematoma, or injury to the ears. The patient should also avoid exposure to extreme heat, cold, or sun, as this may cause swelling, inflammation, or scarring.
The patient should have regular follow-up visits with the surgeon to monitor the healing process and the outcome of the surgery. The patient should also report any signs of infection, such as fever, pus, or redness, or any complications, such as asymmetry, overcorrection, or recurrence.
Otoplasty recovery and aftercare are important to ensure the best possible results and to prevent any risks or complications.
Otoplasty in Iran
Equipped hospitals, clinics, and advanced specialized centers with experienced doctors and specialists are available in all medical treatment areas in Iran. Also, good hotels and entertainment centers have made Iran an appropriate choice for patients who require an otoplasty.
Cost of Otoplasty in Iran
Otoplasty can be performed using either surgical or non-surgical techniques, depending on the type and severity of the ear deformity, the age and preference of the patient, and the expertise of the surgeon. Surgical techniques involve making an incision behind or inside the ear, where it is less visible, and reshaping the ear cartilage by cutting, folding, or suturing it. The surgeon may also remove excess skin or cartilage, or graft additional cartilage to the ear if needed. Non-surgical techniques involve using moldable devices that are applied to the ear and guide the cartilage growth over several weeks. These devices can be worn at night or during the day and can be adjusted by the patient or the doctor.
The cost of otoplasty in Iran varies depending on the type of surgery, geographical location, and surgeon's fee. The cost of otoplasty in Iran is much more affordable than in many other countries. According to some web search results, the cost of otoplasty in Iran ranges around 1000-2500 USD, while in the United States, it ranges from $4000 to $5000. The lower cost of otoplasty in Iran does not compromise the quality of the surgery, as Iran has many qualified and experienced surgeons who perform otoplasty in well-equipped hospitals and clinics. Therefore, many people choose to have otoplasty in Iran to save money and achieve satisfactory results.
