Also known as otoplasty, focuses on two malformations which often occur simultaneously to varying degrees in individual patients ; the external ear is positioned too far forward, forming too wide an angle with the head, and the fold of the ear is defective, making the « protrusion » of the ear look worse. Otoplasty is a relatively simple procedure which is effective and not associated with any major risks.
This procedure can be carried out from the age of five. The child may be aware that he is « different », or is subjected to teasing at school.
At this age he or she is certainly capable of understanding and accepting surgery carried out under local anaesthetic with sedation or general anaesthetic.
The surgeon will naturally talk to the parents and the child to verify his motivation and his wish to undergo the operation. The technique will be explained clearly.
The goal is to recreate the natural fold of the ear and to reduce the angle between the ear and the head. I used the threadless technique based on the remodeling of the cartilage by creating an incision in the back fold of the ear.
It is generally carried out under local anaesthetic with sedation or light general anaesthetic.
Patients leave the clinic the same evening. The procedure takes about one hour.
The patient is positioned on an operating table, lying on his back with his head turned to one side.
The anaesthetic is injected into the outer ear. Defects of the rim of the ear are correctec by folding the cartilage. The position of the middle part of the ear is
corrected, and sometimes oversized ears are remodelled at the same time.
The surgeon uses non-dissolvable stitches.
Patients may return home on the same day if the anaesthetist agrees. They must wear a dressing and a compression headband.
The dressing is generally worn until the stitches have been absorbed, usually on the 7th day.
The elastic headband, which looks like the sort of headband used by skiers, needs to be worn for another two weeks, particularly at night while the healing tissue is still fragile. Analgesic medication is routinely prescribed for the first 24 to 48 hours.
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