Follicular ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, is a type of plastic surgery that helps to improve the shape and positioning of the ears, making them less visible and with a more proportional appearance to the face.
Although this surgery is widely used to correct aesthetic changes, it can also be done to treat congenital defects in the ear canal or other structures of the ear to improve the quality of hearing, for example.
In the case of the fanned ear, surgery can be done after 5 years of age, as it is when the cartilage stops growing, there is no risk of the problem coming back after surgery. However, since otoplasty is usually a very specific process for each person, their need should always be evaluated together with the general practitioner or pediatrician.
Surgery price
The value of surgery for auger ear can range from 3 to 5 thousand reais, depending on the complexity of the process, the surgeon selected and the necessary exams, for example.
Surgery can also be done free of charge by the SUS, however, usually only considered as applications of people who are presenting psychological changes caused by the visual alteration of the ears.
How is the surgery done
Otoplasty can be done using local anesthesia, but in most cases it is done under general anesthesia, especially in children, in order to reduce stress. After the anesthesia, the surgeon:
- Make small cuts on the back of the ear;
- Creates a new fold in the ear to allow it to join the head;
- Removes excess cartilage if necessary;
- Close the cuts with suture.
In some people, the doctor may also need to make cuts on the front of the ear, but in these cases, the cuts are usually made under the natural folds of the ear, allowing the scars to remain invisible.
The results of this type of surgery are usually almost immediate and can be seen as soon as the sticking plaster, which is placed after surgery, is removed.
How is recovery
Recovering from ear surgery in most cases lasts up to 2 weeks, but it is possible to return to daily activities and work about 3 days later. During this period, there may still be some discomfort and pain, so it is very important to take all the mediation prescribed by the surgeon.
In addition, it is still very important to keep the tape that was placed in the surgery, only to be removed by the doctor in one of the review visits that happen during the first week. Therefore, you should avoid taking a shower or washing your hair, as it may cause watering of the plaster, and it is recommended to wash only the body.
Although the most important phase of recovery is the first two weeks, the swelling of the ears only disappears completely after 3 months, and the final result is revealed, but it is not very different from what can already be observed after the removal of the tape.
Main risks of surgery
This surgery is quite safe, but like any other type of surgery, it may have some risks like:
- Bleeding;
- Infection,
- Loss of skin sensitivity of the region;
- Allergies to dressing.
In addition, there is still a risk that the ears will not be completely symmetrical or in the expectation, especially if the plaster is removed without medical advice. In these chaos, it may be necessary to perform a second minor surgery to correct the defects that still persist.
