The distance of the ear to the head and the angles of the ear differs from person to person. The fact that the folds of the ear are at a distance more or less than normal is called ‘prominent ear’. This condition, which does not cause any anatomical problems, can lead to psychological trauma and may become an object of ridicule by friends, especially in childhood. Since ear development is completed to a large extent (80%) around the age of six, the correction procedure should be done especially after this age. Although prominent ear surgeries are performed starting from the age of six, the same procedure is applied to the patient to correct the angle and deformities in case of consulting a doctor at a later age.
As in other surgeries in adults, aspirin and blood thinners (especially multi-vitamin tablets, herbal substances such as ginseng, etc.) should not be used for 10-15 days before the surgery, and no alcohol should be consumed 1 day before the surgery. In addition, if there are important disorders in the patient’s history and medications that he or she uses constantly, the doctor should be informed. If there is an antibiotic and drug allergy, the doctor should be informed as well. The operation can be performed under general or local anesthesia with sedation (following the sedation of the child and numbing the operation area). General anesthesia is not preferred in operations to be performed in later ages, sedation and local anesthesia are prioritized. If the operation is performed under sedation and local anesthesia, hospitalization is not required. The operation is usually performed with an incision made behind the ear. By shaping the cartilage, the angle and distance between the head and ear are adjusted. Again, after the incision behind the ear is closed, a slightly pressure dressing is applied. It is not recommended to lie on the ear in the first week after the procedure. From the second week, you can sleep on a soft pillow. The head should be raised with 2-3 pillows. It is natural to feel tension and pressure in the first two days. From the third day, this feeling of pressure and tension begins to decrease. On the 4-5th day following the operation, when the dressing is removed, the ears may be slightly edematous, may turn yellow, and purple. From the day the dressing is removed, the surgical area can be washed and the moisturizing cream can be applied to the whole ear. A tennis band is worn at night to prevent the ear from curling for two weeks. In the first days after the operation, increasing and sharp pain, leakage and bleeding from the operation area are conditions that may require contact with your doctor. Although as in every surgery, there are more than one technique in prominent ear surgeries, there are some standard methods defined. The methods to be applied during the surgery are determined according to the ear structure, angle, and the characteristics of the ear deformity. As we have mentioned before, the technique we apply is a maneuver to reduce the angle by removing some excess skin with an incision made behind the ear, creating a pocket where the ear cartilage will sit, and then fixing it there with sutures. If there is an additional fold deficiency in the ear, the cartilage of the ear is slightly weakened from the front to form a fold, and it is adapted to its new shape with stitches. Although there are some technical details in addition to all these methods, the ear will take the desired shape after these attempts. Afterwards, the incisions are closed and the procedure is terminated.