Ears, which are an integral part of facial aesthetics, are one of the most interesting types of aesthetics that attract people's attention from an early age. In ears that have problems with cartilage formation for various reasons, a condition called prominent ear or prominent ear may occur.

Ear sizes may be smaller or larger than normal. Unlike other branches of plastic surgery, this operation can also be performed on people in childhood, as ear development is completed by the age of 6. In this case, the person may be exposed to psychological and traumatic situations since childhood. In such cases, Otoplasty comes into play and surgical intervention can be performed on the ears to provide an aesthetic appearance. Otoplasty is an ear shaping operation performed to eliminate the prominent ear appearance, large ear appearance and inadequate folds in the auricle.

The success rate and patient satisfaction are high. Protruding ear surgery is performed by aesthetic plastic surgeons. How is Otoplasty Surgery Performed? Prominent ear operation  (Otoplasty) is performed under operating room conditions, usually under local anesthesia and sedation, and takes approximately 1-1.5 hours. General anesthesia may also be preferred in children. Prominent ear surgery is usually performed through incisions placed in the folds behind the ear and leaves almost no scar.  The most common method is to weaken the excess cartilage in the ear by scratching or rasping it, removing it when necessary, and giving the ear a new, more curved shape towards the back with absorbable or non-absorbable stitches. Making personalized operation planning will give the best results. There are many different surgical techniques to correct prominent ears. In children or young patients, shaping can be done with stitches since the cartilage has high flexibility. In order to give the cartilage the desired shape, certain areas can be marked, 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 in the crease behind the ear. This incision is closed with appropriate suture materials selected considering aesthetic results and durability. At the end of the surgery, a dressing is applied to apply slight pressure on the newly shaped auricle.

How Does the Post-Operative Process Proceed?

There are no serious pain complaints after the surgery, and painkillers are usually sufficient when necessary. At the end of the surgery, the bandage applied to the treated ears is changed several times as needed within the first week and then removed. If stitches that need to be removed during the surgery were used, they are removed at the first week check-up. It is recommended that patients use a bandage or headband to keep the ears in the appropriate position while lying down for the first two weeks and then for the first month.