Ear Surgery
YOUR FACE IS THE FIRST THING PEOPLE VISUALLY NOTICE ABOUT YOU. Your ears rarely attract attention when normal in size and relationship to our other facial features. However, protruding, large or misshapen ears can detract from your facial appearance. Children with prominent or deformed ears may suffer the ridicule of peers and a resulting lack of self-confidence. If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery of the ear. Ear surgery is plastic surgery performed to improve the shape, position or proportion of your ear. It can correct a defect in your ear structure that is present at birth, that becomes apparent with development or it can treat misshapen ears caused by injury. In general, ear surgery creates a natural shape, while bringing balance and proportion to your ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to your appearance and self-esteem. What is ear surgery? Plastic surgery of the ear is most commonly performed to correct the position of your ears that protrude significantly from the sides of the head. Such protrusion makes your ears appear to be larger than normal. Overly large ears are a rare condition called macrotia. Protruding ears may occur on one or both sides in varying degrees and are not associated with hearing loss. Even adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery is a basis for plastic surgery of the ear. There are other less common ear deformities that can affect one ear or both, and may or may not affect your hearing ability. The constricted ear, also called a lop or cup ear, has varying degrees of protrusion, reduced ear circumference, folding or flattening of the upper helical rim, and lowered ear position. The Stahl’s ear is distorted in shape due to an abnormal position of the superior crus, or extra crus to the antihelix. In cryptotia, (or “hidden ear”) the upper rim of the ear is buried beneath a fold of scalp secondary to abnormal folding of the upper ear cartilage toward the head. The folding is the reverse of that commonly seen in the protruding ear. MICROTIA is the most complex congenital ear deformity. The outer ear appears as either a sausage shaped structure resembling little more than the earlobe, or it may have more recognizable parts of the concha and tragus or other normal ear features. It may or may not be missing the external auditory or hearing canal. Hearing is impaired to varying degrees. Reconstruction of microtia requires staged surgical procedures (usually three) to create a more normal external ear. These surgeries may be followed by surgery to improve hearing as well.
Are you a teenager or an adult? You are a good candidate for ear surgery if you are:
Where do I begin?
Dr. Massiha will also answer your questions. Evaluation
Safety Dr. Massiha is certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery®. This certification designates Dr. Massiha expertise in plastic surgery of the face and entire body. My ear surgery Treatment of microtia involves an individualized surgical plan that may require multiple procedures to achieve desired results. While the goal is to create a normal appearing external ear, ear reconstruction may be combined with other surgery to improve your hearing. Where cartilage – the flexible, bone-like structure that forms the outer ear – is badly misshapen or too little exists to create a more normal ear, reconstruction may require cartilage grafts. These are typically taken from the existing ear structure or from your ribs. Ear surgery revision is sometimes requested by adults who are dissatisfied with a prior surgery. This may include an unnatural appearance, over-correction where ears appear to be sharply “pinned” back and irregularities of the ear folds. Concern with residual earlobe prominence is also common. Preparing for surgery
In addition, you will be asked to sign consent forms to assure Dr. Massiha that you fully understand the procedure you or your child will undergo, and any risks and potential complications. Risks associated with ear surgery include infection, blood clot or a collection of blood at the incision site and risks associated with anesthesia. It is important that you address all your questions directly with Dr. Massiha. It is natural to feel some anxiety, whether excitement for the anticipated outcome or preoperative stress. Discuss these feelings with Dr. Massiha. What to expect Following surgery
Discomfort immediately following ear surgery is normal and can be controlled with pain medication. There may be an itchy feeling under bandages. It is essential that bandages remain intact and are not removed, for any reason. Failure to do so may result in loss of some of the correction and may require a secondary surgery. A return to light, normal activity is possible as soon as the day following surgery, as long as the ears are protected. Children should refrain from rough or aggressive play until healing is complete. The dressing will be removed by Dr. Massiha 5 to 7 days following ear surgery. The surgical wound will be cleansed and any external stitches will be removed. You will be instructed on how to care for incision sites. Healing will continue for several weeks and incision lines will slowly refine and fade. Continue to follow Dr. Massiha’s instructions and attend follow-up visits as scheduled. Results and outlook Dr. Massiha, your choice BOARD CERTIFICATION – Not all physicians who perform plastic surgery or who use the title plastic surgeon are board certified in plastic surgery. Dr. Massiha is a certified Plastic Surgeon by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who:
PRIVILEGES – Your surgeon should have operating privileges at an accredited, local hospital for the same procedure you plan to have performed – even if that surgeon suggests your procedure be performed in an accredited office-based surgical facility or at an ambulatory surgery center. Dr. Massiha has these credentials—A Doctor You Can Trust. E-mail or call us today at (504) 455-9441 to schedule your consultation. |
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