What to do before your procedure?

At your initial consultation with Dr. Marciales, you will discuss your medical history and receive a physical exam. He must be healthy and have realistic goals for his procedure. Dr. Marciales will make recommendations based on his expectations and general health. In some cases, a smaller procedure may be enough to satisfy the goals of it.

Explanation of the procedure:

Otoplasty, also known as “cosmetic ear surgery,” is a procedure to change the shape, position, or size of the ears.

You may choose to have otoplasty if you are bothered by the way your ears protrude from your head. You might also consider otoplasty if one or both ears are misshapen due to injury or a birth defect.

Otoplasty can be done at any age after the ears have reached their full size (usually by age 5) and throughout adulthood. In some cases, surgery is done as early as 3 years of age.

If a child is born with protruding ears and other problems in the shape of the ears, these can be successfully corrected by splinting if done immediately after birth.

What can I expect from an otoplasty procedure?

Before the procedure

Otoplasty can be done in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center.

Sometimes the procedure is done under sedation and local anesthesia to numb only part of the body. In other cases, general anesthesia, which makes you unconscious, may be given before the procedure.

during the procedure

Otoplasty techniques vary depending on the type of correction needed. The specific technique that the plastic surgeon chooses will determine the location of the incisions and the scars that are generated.

The doctor may make incisions in these locations:

• In the back of the ears.
• In the inner folds of the ears.

After making the incisions, the doctor may remove the excess cartilage and skin. He will then bend the cartilage into the correct position and secure it with internal stitches. Additional stitches will be used to close the incisions.

The procedure usually takes about two hours.

Post operation:

After an otoplasty, the ears will be covered with bandages to protect and support them.

You may feel discomfort or itchiness. Take pain relievers as recommended by your doctor. If you take pain medication and the discomfort increases, contact your doctor immediately.

Avoid sleeping on your side to avoid putting pressure on your ears. Also try not to rub or apply excessive force to the incisions. Consider wearing button-down shirts or shirts with wide collars.

A few days after your otoplasty, your doctor will remove your bandages. Your ears are likely to be swollen and red. You will need to wear a loose headband to protect your ears at night for two to six weeks. This will prevent your ears from moving forward when you turn in bed.

Talk to your doctor about when your stitches will be removed, or if they should be removed. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Others must be removed in the doctor’s office weeks after the procedure.

Ask your doctor when you can resume your daily activities, such as bathing and physical activity.

What are the risks?

Otoplasty carries several risks, including the following:

• scars.  Although the scars are permanent, they are likely to be hidden behind the ears or within the creases of the ears.
• Asymmetry of the ears.  This may occur as a result of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery may not be able to successfully correct pre-existing asymmetry.
• Changes in skin sensitivity.  During otoplasty, the repositioning of the ears can temporarily affect the sensitivity of the skin in that area. In rare cases, the changes are permanent.
• Point problems.  Stitches that were made to secure the new shape of the ear may protrude to the surface of the skin and, in that case, need to be removed. This can cause inflammation in the affected skin. As a result, you may need to undergo another surgery.
• Overcorrection.  Otoplasty can create unnatural contours that make the ears appear flattened.

Like any other type of major surgery, otoplasty carries the risk of bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to the tape or other materials used during or after the procedure.

Call +66 43 880 147 for more information or to make an appointment