Generally about the treatment
An operation for prominent ears has the purpose of correcting protruding and prominent ears, placing them further back and closer to the head.
The operation is often performed on children at the age of 6-14 years. Our ears are almost fully developed by the age of 4, and with the surgery done early, the child can avoid teasing and bullying.
Prominent ears surgery can also be carried out on adults, and generally there will not be more risks when the operation is performed on older patients.
Please note, that an ear correction is often covered by the NHS upon a referral from your GP.
The procedure
The ear is corrected through surgery of the backside of the ear.
An incision is made behind the ear, after which the skin on the back and front side of the ear is loosened from the cartilage.
Then the ear is reshaped in order to obtain the best cosmetic result. Afterwards the skin is sewn together on the backside of the ear, and finally the surgeon places one or more threads, that go through the ear, and then are tightened over small rolls to hold the ear back in place in its new shape.
After the surgery a head bandage will be applied to protect the ears, and to assist in the healing process. After a week or so the bandage is replaced with plasters.
Note that there are different techniques for performing prominent ears correction surgery.
The surgery takes about 1-2 hours.
Anaesthesia
If the patient is a young child, the surgeon might recommend general anaesthesia, enabling the child can sleep during the operation.
For older children and adults, the operation will usually take place under local anaesthesia combined with soothing medicine. The operation is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
Side-effects
Bluish, discoloured, and tender ears. Headaches, intense blushing, and numbness.
Risk of complications
Infection, pronounced scar formation, accumulation of blood, which then will need draining. Additionally there is a risk of a poor cosmetic result, which can mean asymmetric ears, or ears that look artificial.
There is a risk of side effects from the anaesthetic used, along with bleeding, poor wound healing, a poor cosmetic result, and blood accumulation.
No form of surgery is risk free, although severe complications are very rare.
Healing and recovery
Normally, school and work can be resumed after 5 to 7 days after the surgery. It is advised to wait with demanding and straining activities as well as contact sports, till after 1-2 months.
Duration of the result
As a rule, the result is permanent. Through time, the ears may become outstanding again, meaning that another ear correction will be necessary.