Project Description
EAR SURGERY
WHAT IS EAR SURGERY?
If protruding ears bother you or Your child, you may consider plastic surgery : Ear surgery — also known as otoplasty — can improve the shape, position, or proportion of the ear. It can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth and can treat misshapen ears caused by injury. Ear surgery creates a natural shape, while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem.
Ear surgery can treat:
- Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees
Children or Adults who are good candidates for ear surgery are:
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
- Generally five years old or have ear cartilage that is stable enough for correction
- Cooperative and follow instructions well
- Able to communicate their feelings and do not voice objections when surgery is discussed .
Teenagers and adults who are good candidates for ear surgery are:
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Non heavy smokers
- Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for ear surgery
CONSULTATION & PREPARING FOR SURGERY
During your consultation be prepared to discuss:
- Your surgical goals
- Medical conditions, drug allergies, and medical treatments
- Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use
- Previous surgeries
Your surgeon will also:
- Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
- Take photographs (day of surgery)
- Discuss your ear surgery options
- Recommend a course of treatment
- Discuss likely outcomes of your ear surgery and any risks or potential complications
Prior to surgery, you may be asked to:
- Get lab testing or a medical evaluation
- Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
- Stop smoking
- Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs ( brufen, Voltaire ), Ginger, raw garlic, green tea and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
Dr. Federico will also discuss where your procedure will be performed. Depending on the type of surgery, your procedure may be performed in a licensed surgical center, or a hospital.
Be sure to ask Dr. Federico Di Francesco questions. It’s very important to understand all aspects of your ear surgery. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.
THE PROCEDURE
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. The choices include local anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best choice for you.
Correction of protruding ears uses surgical techniques to create or improve the antihelical fold (just inside the rim of the ear) and to reduce enlarged conchal cartilage (the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear). Incisions for otoplasty are generally made on the back surface of the ear.
When incisions are necessary on the front of the ear, they are made within its folds to hide them. Internal, non-removable sutures are used to create and secure the newly shaped cartilage in place.
Excess fat may be directly excised or treated with liposuction.Depending on your specific condition, incisions may be more limited. Then, underlying supportive tissue is tightened and reshaped with internal sutures. Finally, the skin is smoothed over the new contour of your arm.
External stitches close the incision. Techniques are individualized, taking care not to distort other structures and to avoid an unnatural “pinned back” appearance.
Ear surgery offers near immediate results in cases of protruding ears, visible once the dressings are removed. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well-hidden in the natural creases of the ear
RISK & SAFETY
The decision to have ear surgery is extremely personal.You will have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and its risks.
The risks include:
- Anesthesia risks
- Bleeding (uncommon)
- Infection (uncommon)
- Poor wound healing
- Change in skin sensation
- Asymmetry
- Unfavorable scarring
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Allergies to tape. suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations.
These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address your questions directly with Dr. Federico.
RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY
Dressings will be used to support the new shape of the ear during the initial phases of healing. Once these are removed, the results of your ear surgery are immediately visible. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head. surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well-hidden in the natural creases of the ear.
Discomfort immediately following ear surgery is normal and can be controlled with pain medication. There may be an itchy feeling under bandages. It is essential that bandages remain intact and are not removed for any reason. Failure to do so may result in loss of some of the correction and may require a secondary surgery. Once remove the bandages you will have to wear a sponge soft head band ( style beautician or tennis band ) for one extra week and just at bed time for further 2 weeks.
Be sure to ask Dr. Federico specific questions about what you can expect during your individual recovery period.
• Where will I be taken after my surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will I have dressings/bandages after surgery?
• When will they be removed?
• Are stitches removed? When?
• When can I resume normal activity and exercise?
• When do I return for follow-up care?
RESULT
The results of your ear surgery are immediately visible. Over time, post-surgical swelling will resolve and incision lines will fade. Satisfaction with your new image should continue to grow as you recover-from surgery.The final results of your surgery will appear over the next few months.
Although good results are expected from your procedure, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure and another surgery may be necessary.
Following Dr. Federico di Francesco’s instructions is essential to the success of your surgery. It’s important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing.Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to care for yourself. It’s very important to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled.
COST
Prices for ear surgery can vary. A surgeon’s cost may be based on his experience, the type of procedure used, and the geographic location of the office.
Cost may include:
- Anesthesia fees
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Medical tests
- Prescriptions for medication
- Surgeon’s fee
Your satisfaction involves more than a fee:
When choosing dr. Federico Di Francesco – Eklund , your plastic surgeon for Otoplasty surgery , remember that his experience and your comfort with him are just as important as the final cost of the surgery .
Plastic surgery involves many choices. The first and most important is selecting a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, an ASPS (American society of Plastic Surgeons) or ISAPS ( International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) member surgeon you can trust.
ASPS/ ISAPS member surgeons meet rigorous standards:
- Board certification by the Official medical university in Plastic Surgery.
- Complete six years of medical training following medical school with 5 years of plastic surgery residency training
- Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
- Graduate from an accredited medical school
- Complete continuing medical education, including patient safety each year
- Perform surgery in accredited Center.
Do not be confused by other official sounding boards and certifications.
Please remember that There is no certifying board with “cosmetic surgery” in its name.
By choosing a Corresponding member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, or an ISAPS Member you can be assured that you are choosing a qualified, highly trained plastic surgeon who is board-certified .
My website it is not a substitute for a thorough, in-person consultation with dr. Federico Di Francesco, Consultant plastic surgeon.