OTOPLASTY

The protruding ear – flap ears – is a deformity of the cartilage, which projects from the head more than usual.

This deformity does not affect a person’s hearing, but significantly affects his mental health.

Flap ears are shown in a 5% of the population due to hereditary factors. They are visible just after childbirth; their shape and cartilage position do not change over time while their size is finalized at the age of 5-6 years. It is therefore better the children to be operated at the age of 5-6, before starting school, in order to avoid comments that could irreparably injure their psyche. Adults can have the surgery when they decide to get rid of the deformity and to look themselves in the mirror with a different psychology.

The operation, in which the protruding ears are being treated, is called otoplasty. It is performed under local anesthesia; the patient works with the doctors and immediately sees the final result. After surgery, an elastic bandage is being placed that covers both ears and is removed on the 5th day. On the 7th day the sutures are removed. After removing the bandage, the patient can return to work or school, if it is a child. The surgery is painless, 100% successful without any failure rate when performed properly by a specialist. A specialist is the doctor who has excellent knowledge of the ear’s cartilage –within the specialty of otolaryngology- and has been specialized in facial plastic surgery.