Otoplasty

The separation of the ears can trigger complexes and decrease self-confidence or social development as early as childhood. Whether it is for aesthetic or psychological reasons, with this surgical procedure we improve the shape of the ear and its location.

In the first consultation, it will be Dr. Galván who will analyze and evaluate the problem and will recommend the most appropriate technique for each case, that is, it will be determined whether the modifications to be made are at the level of your helix, antihelix, shell or level of other structures.

Otoplasty is a surgical intervention that must be performed in an operating room, within a clinic or hospital, in order to have good aseptic conditions and avoid infections of the atrial cartilage. This procedure lasts around 1 hour, it is performed on an outpatient basis, that is, discharge is given about 20-30 minutes after your surgery. This is why it is done under local anesthesia and with sedation to make you feel calmer during surgery.
In the case of a child under 8 years of age, general anesthesia may be necessary, although everything will depend on the personality of the child; If he is a very restless child with general anesthesia, we will make him cope better with the intervention without moving excessively. In case of operating with general anesthesia, the stay in the hospital will be until the afternoon of the intervention.
The otoplasty technique to be performed will depend on the specific characteristics of the problem.

The surgery begins with a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the cartilage. Later, this cartilage will be sculpted using different scratching techniques, shaping the ear and then giving internal fixation points to maintain its new shape. In addition to this, sometimes it is necessary to remove a small piece of cartilage in the area of ​​the ear shell to avoid an appearance of extremely folded and artificial ears.

Most patients are perfectly fine after surgery, so you can go home after the procedure for around 20 to 30 min or in the afternoon, it all depends on anesthesia.
As soon as the otoplasty ends, there will be a bandage around the head that will continue for 84 hours. The next day, this will be exchanged for a lighter one or a typical tennis headband after reviewing and healing in consultation.
This bandage or tape should be worn for a week permanently and with special attention, especially at night, since the separation of the ears in movements should be avoided while it is in the healing phase.
The ears may be a little sore the first two days, but are easily relieved by medication. Most adults return to work or activities within 24 hours of surgery; in the case of children, they can return to school in 7 days. In addition, you should take special care with possible trauma from sudden movements, be it sports or any physical activity during the first month.
The scar from an otoplasty is not visible because it is lodged behind the ear.

Otoplasty is a quick and easy operation, but like all surgeries it is subject to a risk; a small number of patients may develop a hematoma that in most cases gradually dissolves or may require a drain that allows us to remove it without causing pain.
Occasionally a cartilage infection may occur that is resolved with antibiotics. To avoid this, it is important to go to the reviews with the doctor on the indicated dates and follow all the post-operative indications.