It is not uncommon for a person's body to have some flaws. Some can be tolerated, while others are easily corrected with plastic surgery. One of these defects is a change in the shape of the auricle. Otoplasty is a way to get rid of both protruding ears and earlobe deformity (both congenital and acquired due to trauma).
Anatomy of the human ear
The outer ear is made up primarily of cartilage. The fabric is tightly attached at the front, looser at the back. As a rule, the ear is located at a certain angle - 20-30 °. There are such anatomical units in the structure of the ear: a curl, an antihelix, a navicular fossa, an upper and lower leg. Cartilage is attached to the skull with ligaments. The ear also has muscles (external and internal). As a rule, they do not function.
Exceptions are some people who can move their ears. The blood supply to the hearing organs comes from the temporal, ear arteries, the lymph flow occurs with the help of the parotid and cervicallymph nodes. There are such anomalies of the auricle as a change in size (too small or large ears), deformation of the cartilage, a change in the angle of its location, etc. After otoplasty, the ears have a more aesthetic appearance, in some cases it is possible to completely restore damaged or missing cartilage.
Types of otoplasty
Depending on the goal pursued, aesthetic and reconstructive otoplasty are distinguished. The first is aimed at eliminating aesthetic defects. Reconstructive otoplasty is an operation whose purpose is to restore the auricle. It can take place in several stages, during which the doctor creates an ear frame, installs the ear directly. Next comes the acclimation period. It lasts for about six months. At the final stages, the specialist models the shape of the organ of hearing, lobe, tragus. There are also several types of otoplasty depending on the method.
The most ancient and widespread method is a scalpel operation. However, it has a number of significant drawbacks: the surgical intervention lasts more than 2 hours, the rehabilitation period is also considerable. In addition, scars often remain at the site of the incision. A more modern method is laser otoplasty. This is an operation in which incisions are made with a laser beam. Its benefits are obvious: short recovery time, no scars.
However, radio wave plastic surgery is considered an innovative method of plastic surgery. This is not a traumatic method, there is practically no blood due tofor using the radio wave as a cutting tool. In addition, due to its bactericidal properties, the rehabilitation period does not exceed three weeks.
Indications and contraindications for surgery
The main indications for otoplasty are all kinds of defects in the outer ear. In particular, these are protruding ears, asymmetrical auricles, lack of relief on them, and a large earlobe. Otoplasty (photo below) completely solves such cosmetic nuances. However, like every surgical intervention, the operation has its contraindications. It is not carried out in violation of blood clotting, malignant processes in the body. Also, otoplasty is contraindicated during the course of somatic diseases. AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis (B, C) do not allow surgery.
Preoperative examination and analysis
First of all, the plastic surgeon carefully examines both ears. It determines the size and relationship between its main components: the curl, the antihelix, the lobe and the shell itself. It is necessary to carefully measure all the main parameters and distances, take preoperative photographs. It is worth noting that the specialist often recommends performing an operation on both hearing organs (even if there are defects on one of them). This allows you to more correctly restore and maintain the symmetry of the ears.
Then the patient takes the necessary tests (blood, urine). Required in advancewarn the specialist about the presence of allergies, taking certain medications. An electrocardiogram is mandatory. This is necessary to assess the functioning of the cardiac system. It is recommended to refrain from smoking at least a few weeks before the proposed operation. Nicotine makes it difficult for wounds and cuts to heal.
How surgery is performed
This operation begins with cutting the ear from behind (in the place of the natural crease). Next, the required amount of cartilage and skin is removed. In some cases, the cartilage tissue is cut off, a new shape of the auricle is modeled. If necessary, the cartilage is moved to a different position, closer to the skull. Next is the fixation with sutures. They are usually fixed and permanent. The correction of the lobe is performed using small incisions, which are then sutured. The duration of the operation depends on the chosen technique and the degree of complexity of the correction. At the end of the surgical intervention, cotton wool (impregnated with mineral oil) is applied to the furrows of the organ. The ears are covered with gauze napkins, a bandage is put on top.
Post-operative period
Painkillers are recommended after otoplasty. You may also need a course of antibiotics to rule out various inflammatory processes due to infection. If the operation was performed on a child, it is worth limiting his physical activity for several weeks. Certain side effects may occur after otoplasty. Patient reviews speak ofthe fact that in the first days there is weakness, nausea, swelling, bruising. Headaches are also often reported. There may also be numbness in the ears. But, as a rule, the condition improves after a few weeks. To reduce swelling, you can use an additional pillow so that the head is constantly elevated. It is also mandatory to wear a special bandage (up to two weeks after the operation).
Possible risks of surgery
Although otoplasty is a fairly well-tolerated operation, there are still some complications that can occur. Blood and fluid can accumulate under the skin, which requires a new surgical intervention. Also, during the operation, bleeding may occur, there is a possibility of infection in the wound (after that, tissue scarring occurs). In some cases, there is numbness that does not go away with time. Another negative consequence of the operation is a decrease in the sensitivity of the skin in the ear area. In addition, if the operation was performed on one sink, the patient may not like the results (due to the asymmetry that is often observed in the postoperative period).
Otoplasty. Feedback after surgery
This operation allows you to correct many visible cosmetic defects. Most women are grateful to plastic surgeons, as they have the opportunity to wear a wide variety of updos, and not just loose hair. This operation is also performed for children from 5 years old, this helps to prevent the development of complexes about theirappearance and avoid ridicule from peers.
The right choice of clinic and specialist will make it easy to endure surgery. The risk of complications during otoplasty is quite low, patients may feel only mild discomfort and some discomfort associated with the need to change napkins and wear a special bandage. However, almost all of them are unanimous in their opinion: ears after otoplasty become beautiful, symmetrical, and this effect lasts for life.
