Otoplasty surgery
The otoplasty surgery is designed to correct shape and size defects of the ear. Usually it’s about rectifying protruding ears.
Protruding or excessively large ears often are a source of embarrassment for many individuals, men and women of all age. However, The surgical procedure called otoplasty in Tunisia can correct their size, their shape and also repair them after a trauma.
The procedure
Ear reshaping is usually performed under general anesthesia and requires a hospital stay of 24 hours. The incision is made behind the ears, where the ears meet the face. A portion of the cartilage and shape may be removed or reshaped. The ears can also simply be bent closer to the skull with fine sutures when they are protruding.
The operation of otoplasty in Tunisia is about 1 hour long and a headband has to be worn during the 2 weeks following surgery. Patients have to avoid getting the incision site web during a week. Due to the location of the operating site, bruising and swelling during the recovery are discreet. Small differences can be noticed between the left and right ear, but the result usually becomes regular once the ears are completely healed. It’s not uncommon for only one of the ears to have a defect, it can be treated while preserving the symmetry of the ears.
When will I see the result ?
The bandage has to stay in place after surgery, removing it could cause an infection or alter the final result. The result can be seen after a few weeks, once Dr.Balti gives his approval to remove the bandage.
Does ear surgery carry risks ?
When postoperative instructions are followed, the otoplasty surgery has very low risks of complications. It has a very high satisfaction rate because of its efficiency, safety and short operating time.
What about earlobes repairing ?
This procedure is designed to repair stretched or torn earlobes. In certain cases, the earlobe is torn because of an accidental piercing removal whereas sometimes, it it purposely stretched with the help of a specifically designed piercing. Sutures can be used, in any case, to allow the patient to wear ear rings again.
What are the goals of the procedure ?
The main goal is to bring the ear closer to the head without it being too close, which would not provide a good result. Typically, surgeons make sure to keep a centimeter space between the ear and the hair. Differences between both ears, which are fairly common, will be less visible and hidden by the procedure.
First thing surgeons change during the procedure is the plication of the antihelix cartilage, which is the top part of the ear that sticks out too much when not folded properly.
The second thing, which is not systematic, is decreasing the size of the concha (the cartilage located at the center of the ear). The concha can be brought closer to the head with sutures. This can be done when the cartilage is only slightly hypertrophied, which is rarely the case.
Otoplasty in Tunisia : from what age is otoplasty possible ?
Children with protruding ears can benefit from otoplasty surgery if they feel social embarrassment, the procedure can be done between 7 and 10 years old (when the ears are done growing). Adults can also benefit from this procedure with no age limit.
Is the earfold implant better than standard ear surgery ?
No, because this type of implant has a risk of shifting, infection and can be visible under the skin. The effect of the implant on the cartilage is also unknown, it could cause the cartilage to disappear under the effect of the implant’s pinch. Removing the implant is not that easy and the argument that the earfold implant procedure is not surgery is false, since it requires local anesthesia and an incision : the definition of surgery.
My child’s ears stick out, but he doesn’t want to go through surgery, should I decide for him ?
Children usually react to the fear of the unknown and the thought of surgery can be scary. In the majority of the cases, children with protruding ears should be operated on to avoid mockery in middle school. On a technical level, the ear is more malleable in children, which makes the procedure easier to perform.
Is otoplasty surgery painful ?
The procedure can cause pain during the first days following surgery, but painkillers can control postoperative pain easily. Skin sensitivity can be disturbed transiently with no further consequences.