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Otoplasty is commonly performed at plastic surgicentre in Doha, Qatar.
If you're considering ear surgery...
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done
to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of
large ears.
For the most part, the operation is done on children between the
ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the
earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have
to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are
generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older
patient.
If you're considering ear surgery for yourself or your child, this
information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when
it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It
can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your
individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask Dr. Makki if there is
anything you don't understand about the procedure.
ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK
When ear surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon,
complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with
any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications
associated with this procedure.
A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear.
It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle.
Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which
can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with
antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected
area.
PLANNING FOR SURGERY
Most surgeons recommend that parents stay
alert to their child's feelings about protruding ears; don't insist on
the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel
uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more
cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.
In the initial meeting, Dr. Makki will evaluate your child's condition, or yours if you are considering surgery
for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. He will also
give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.
WHERE THE SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED
Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure at
Plastic Surgicentre. Occasionally, Dr. Makki may recommend that the
procedure be done as an inpatient procedure, in which case you can plan
on staying overnight in the hospital.
TYPES OF ANESTHESIA
If your child is young, Dr. Makki may recommend general anesthesia,
so the child will sleep through the operation. For older children or
adults, Dr. Makki may prefer to use local anesthesia, combined with a
sedative, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed.
THE SURGERY
Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours, although
complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on
the problem.
With one of the more common techniques, Dr. Makki makes a small
incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He will
then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head.
Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape.
Occasionally, Dr. Makki will remove a larger piece of cartilage to
provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.
Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the
ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back
on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.
In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of
the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to
protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better
balance.
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of
surgery, although you may prefer to stay overnight in the hospital with
a child until all the effects of general anesthesia wear off.
The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately
following surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may
throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by
medication.
Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter
head dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow Dr. Makki's directions for wearing this dressing,
especially at night.
Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a
month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after
surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if
they're careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your
child's teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.
OTHER EAR PROBLEMS
Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that
can be helped with surgery. These include: "lop ear," when
the tip seems to fold down and forward; "cupped ear," which
is usually a very small ear; and "shell ear," when the curve
in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing.
Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with
large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons can even build new ears for those
who were born without them or who lost them through injury.
Sometimes, however, the correction can leave a scar that's worse
than the original problem. Ask Dr. Makki about the effectiveness of
surgery for your specific case.
MORE NATURAL-LOOKING EARS
Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of
ear surgery. But keep in mind, the goal is improvement, not perfection.
Don't expect both ears to match perfectly-perfect symmetry is both
unlikely and unnatural in ears. If you've discussed the procedure and
your expectations with Dr. Makki before the operation, chances are,
you'll be quite pleased with the result.
The information on this web site is only intended as an
introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine
whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the
result.
The best method of determining your personal options is to schedule a
personal consultation with Dr. Makki. He will be able to answer
specific questions related to your situation.
Please don't hesitate to call for any questions that you might have
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