Ear Surgery (Otoplasty): Types, Procedure and Cost

A surgical treatment called otoplasty is used to improve or restore the appearance of the ears. It is done to serve various purposes, such as to repair or reconstruct the shape, size and position of ears.

Lately, otoplasty stands for having your outer ear, particularly reshaping the auricle or pinna through surgery. Reshaping helps to rectify the irregularity of your ear. Improving the functionality of your ear may also be one of the reasons for otoplasty.

The common ear surgeries are:

• Acoustic Neuroma Surgery: surgery to remove acoustic neuroma tumour, with procedures named based on the region of the ear affected by the benign, non-cancerous tumour.
• Cochlear Implant Ear Surgery: surgical implantation of a hearing device in cases of severe hearing loss.
• Labyrinthectomy: removes vertigo and inequilibrium by removal of remaining function of ear balance.
• Myringotomy Eardrum Repair: this entails removal of fluid from mid ear by opening of the eardrum.
• Otologic Laser Procedures: very delicate ear procedures performed with use of extremely accurate laser technology.
• Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Hearing System: implanting bone anchored hearing aid to the skull through surgery.
• Stapedectomy/Stapedotomy: removal of the stapes bone and its replacement with prosthesis.
• Tympanoplasty: surgery on the eardrums or middle ear bones.
• Particle Repositioning Manoeuvre: redirecting freely floating, minute calcium carbonate crystals in the ear back to their part in the inner ear.

Summary- Surgical methods of ear treatments are required when no other ways can serve the purpose. The above-stated surgical processes are described for different ear parts.

The common otoplasty ear surgeries are:

• Ear augmentation: This type of ear surgery is performed on people with underdeveloped or small ears. Ear augmentation is done to increase the size of the outer ear.
• Ear pinning: There are individuals who have their ears protruding prominently from the head. Ear pinning is performed to draw such ears closer to the head and hence the term pinning.
• Ear reduction: Disproportionately large ears in proportion to the head is termed macrotia. Macrotia is corrected through ear reduction surgery.

Summary- Ear surgery is categorized into various categories depending on the different parts of the ear. Doctors advise them to meet the demands of several patients.

Ear surgery or otoplasty is often performed by a specialized ENT surgeon or a specified plastic surgeon. It is commenced after administrating local anesthesia. Different surgeries involve different processes but broadly these steps are followed for otoplasty-

• A small incision is made in the ear as required, it may be at the back of the ear, or, in the ear folds.
• Ear tissues are manipulated by different procedures, such as folding and shaping the cartilage, and grafting, by removing the skin or cartilage followed by permanent stitches on them.
• After the completion of tasks, those cuts are enclosed with stitches.

Nowadays, a recent painless procedure of otoplasty is also available which involves no incisions. In this procedure, the ear is held to its new, desired shape, by inserting a needle into the surface of the ear cartilage to render additional flexibility to the cartilage or, the cartilage can be fixed to a bone behind the ear. Doctors do as the surgical process demands for reshaping. However, incisionless otoplasty needs more research to be accurate.

Summary- Ear surgery requires so many accurate and precise processes. It is planned carefully to heal a specific disorder.

Otoplasty ear surgery is good treatment for the following conditions of the ear:

• Macrotia or disproportionately large ears that mar your appearance.
• An ear or both ears projecting or protruding from the sides of your face, but not any cause for hearing loss.
• Previous ear surgery failing to achieve desired results, especially in adults.

Summary- Otoplasty can treat a number of situations such as Macrotia, rectifying ear shape, or correcting a failed surgery.

A child patient can be a good candidate for an otoplasty ear surgery would be, but only if-

• Children who do not suffer from any life-threatening condition are devoid of any chronic infection of the ear.
• An ideal age when the ear has become stable to undergo corrective ear surgery i.e. otoplasty is considered to be five or above.
• Children should possess good communication skills so that can cooperate with the surgeon

Good candidates for ear surgery among teenagers and adults are:

• Persons without any illness that is a threat to their life, and, also do not have any existing medical condition that may obstruct the healing process after surgery.
• Those who are aware of what they specifically intend to achieve through the otoplasty.
• Those possessing a positive mind-set and outlook.
• Those who do not have the smoking habit.

Points to remember while going for an otoplasty ear surgery:

• It is completely tailor-made for the individual
• It should be undertaken exclusively for your own self and of your own volition.
• The procedure is not to be undertaken just to conform to any set societal image.
• Ear surgery is not being opted for due to the fact that people want you to undergo it.

Summary- A good candidate for otoplasty can be determined by calculating the health status and daily habits of the person. Adults and children both are eligible for this specific process.

You may choose to consult a doctor for otoplasty under any of the following conditions:

• If your ears project out quite far from your head.
• If your ears have lost shape due to an injury or are out-of-shape from birth.
• For your child, if you notice that she or he is born with any problem in the shape of the child’s ears or the ears are too prominent. Corrective action through splinting immediately after the birth of the child is effective to resolve such issues.

You may contact Pristyn Care right now for a consultation with an expert on their panel to know if you need an ear surgery.

Summary- A well-known organization like Pristyn care or another should be contacted for desired ear surgery or otoplasty. Before starting the operation, the patient's health must be confirmed.

Generally, otoplasty is a safe procedure and mostly delivers good results. That being stated, there are invariably certain quantum of risk involved with any surgical procedure. In otoplasty, there may be conditions like over-correction or under correction that may happen. Abnormality in the contour may also occur.

Haematoma i.e. excessive bleeding or infection at the surgical wound are known to happen at times. Exposure of the sutures is another complication that may arise. Your surgeon remains aware of the risks and takes every possible care to avoid occurrence of such complications.

At Pristyn Care, their team of experienced and expert surgeons deliver surgery with utmost care.

Summary- Any surgery can only be safe when performed by an experience or specified surgeon. Safety should be discussed with the doctor prior to the surgery.

An ear surgery may be required when the ear sticks out too far from the head or due to a dissatisfied previous failed surgery. It can also be considered when you require optimization in the size of both ears. Under some specified conditions, cosmetic ear surgery is employed for rectification in the size, shape, or position of your ears.

Summary- An ear surgery can be considered to meet several demands, such as having proper good looks or correcting a failed surgery.

More than 90% of the people who have had otoplasty for ear correction have reported to have been happy with the results they got out of the procedure. This rate of success is taken as exceptional.

Summary- The success rate of otoplasty is always good but should be performed by an expert only.

The concern of otoplasty is with the shape, position and size of your ears. It has no bearing with hearing.

Summary- Otoplasty put no effects on the hearing process.

Otoplasty procedures average about Rs.1,20,000/- in India. This ear surgery cost may vary from city to city. You may avail extremely cost effective surgery with a complete pre and post surgery care package from Pristyn Care.

Summary- Otoplasty is a little high-priced in India. However, it is most cost-effective in organizations like Pristyn care.

• Diet advisory after otoplasty would usually be the intake of clear liquids like water in the period immediate to the surgery and staying on liquids for the whole day.
• From the next day, you would be asked to commence on bland, solid food.
• If any nausea or vomiting is experienced, you are required to revert to the liquid diet for another 24-hour period before venturing onto solid bland food again.

  Summary- A healthy diet plays a crucial part in the healing process. It must be planned according to the patient’s situation.

• Medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and herbal supplements are all on the negative list after otoplasty.
• They are to be stopped about a week earlier to the ear surgery and continued as such about two weeks after otoplasty unless advised to the contrary by your surgeon.
• Alcohol, and drugs for recreational purposes must be ignored.
• Operating heavy machinery and strenuous work are all restricted until cleared by your doctor.

Summary- We must be vigilant about what we need to avoid post-surgery. It includes alcohol, drugs, and certain medications.

You are completely recovered in about 6 weeks of ear surgery. In between, you resume some activities in graduation as advised by your doctor when you visit her or him on follow up to your otoplasty ear surgery. Your ears start showing change after about 2 to 3 weeks.

• Removal of bandages, if any have been used, happens after about 7 to 10 days.
• Children may resume school after about a week to a fortnight.
• Swimming is likely to be permitted in 4 to 6 weeks.
• Contact sports like football, rugby etc. are usually cleared in about 12 weeks.

Summary- The recovery period from ear surgery is not specific. It might take as long as six weeks or less

Otoplasty produces results that are mostly permanent. Performed on adults the results are even more successful. Your looks after an otoplasty are likely to last you through your lifetime.

Summary- Yes, the results are permanent more often. However, the doctor can tell you about the results clearly.

We need to follow some guidelines before and after the treatment. It helps to smoothen the healing process. These are-

• You must ensure that the dressing remains dry all through this interim period.
• For the removal of your dressing, you must consult a doctor.
• Till about a fortnight after your surgery, you will be required to sleep keeping your head elevated.
• Keep the surgical area covered especially while sleeping, for at least two weeks after removal of bandages or dressing, as may be.
• Avoid touching or scratching your ears.
• Seek an appointment with your doctor if you get a fever.
• If you find pus, redness, swelling, or any other disturbing symptom at the surgery site then take immediate action.
• If you have availed of ear surgery through the expert and professional services of Pristyn Care, you will receive comprehensive care advice and support as part of their service.

Summary- These simple guidelines make our healing process gentle and smooth.

The side effects associated with otoplasty ear surgery include;

• Scars: You may have scarring hidden behind your ears.
• Lack of symmetry in the placement of an ear: This may be the result of either the changes occurring during the healing process or unsuccessful correction of the pre-existing asymmetry.
• Changes in the sensation of your skin: There may be a temporary effect on the sensation felt by your skin in the areas around the surgical site.
• Over-correction: On rare occasions, the contours arising out of an otoplasty procedure may lead to unnatural contours.
• Allergic reactions: On rare occasions, patients have been found to have allergic reactions

Summary- Above-stated are some of the well-known side effects of Otoplasty. Apart from these, sometimes bandages also lead to damage which ultimately results in a second surgery.