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This operation is intended to place protruding ears
in a more normal position. Prominent ears in a child can create a
psychological problem that may impede his social and emotional
development if his peers tease him. The operation may be performed
any time after the age of four.
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Each year the number of individuals who undergo cosmetic surgery
increases at an incredible rate. The otoplastic operation is
generally most successful and can truly provide satisfaction with
improved personal confidence and self-esteem. The social and
economic influences that place emphasis on “appearances” are quite
evident at both ends of the age spectrum. Younger people seek peer
acceptance; older people face their own challenge in maintaining
positive attitudes for an extended period of time.
Cosmetic surgery can truly satisfy many needs and often
will provide that extra measure of inner confidence that might
otherwise be difficult to achieve. It requires no apologies and is
accepted in all circles. It is, however, not the answer to all of
life’s problems. The purpose is to “improve“ one’s appearance as
much as possible. It can do no more, and if one expects a
transforming miracle, they will undoubtedly be disappointed.
Most patients
understand these limitations and view the potential benefit
realistically, and if generally healthy, emotionally stable, and
properly motivated, are good candidates for cosmetic surgery. Under
the circumstances, the true objective can be accomplished and yield
results that are predictably accurate.
The purpose of
this brochure is to inform you of the fundamental concepts and bring
to mind questions that I will be happy to answer. Also, it will
permit careful review of this information at home, apart from the
office atmosphere where anxiety or embarrassment may be overriding.
It may also be useful as a reference in discussion with family
members who cannot be present at the time of the consultation. It
should be understood that its sole purpose is information.
In
contemplating any corrective surgery, you need not be apprehensive
or approach any procedure with fear. With present methods of
anesthesia, there will be essentially no pain or discomfort during
the operation and usually only moderate discomfort, which can be
easily controlled with pain tablets.
It should be
understood that competent associates and nurses would assist me and
who play an active role in your care. My personal attention will be
directed to all of the important details, and every effort will be
made to obtain the best possible result. Also, every patient must
play a part in his or her own care to achieve the best
results.
General Information
This operation is intended to place protruding ears in a more
normal position. Prominent ears in a child can create a
psychological problem that may impede his social and emotional
development if his peers tease him. The operation may be performed
any time after the age of four. By that time, the ear itself has
already reached almost adult size so that there will be little, if
any, subsequent change. It may be desirable to have the surgery
performed prior to beginning elementary school to avoid the problems
caused by teasing classmates. While adults generally do not express
such attitudes openly, the grown individual frequently maintains the
same sensitivities that were present during childhood. Fortunately,
longer hairstyles in recent years have provided better opportunity
for cover. Conventional styles still permit noticeable exposure in
the male patient and even in the female patient if she desired to
wear her hair pulled back away from her face.
No pair of ears is exactly the same, either before or after the
operation. For example, the ear on one side of the head may be
larger or further away from the head than the ear on the opposite
side. Convolution of the ears is generally irregular and is
irregular in ears that have undergone such an operation. This is
emphasized because the patient’s parents and friends are more
critical of the ears following surgery than they were before. The
surgeon makes every effort to improve the appearance of the ears so
that they will be satisfactory from a cosmetic standpoint. In rare
instances, at the discretion of your surgeon, a secondary minor
procedure may be performed to modify the final result. It is not
infrequent that the surgeon set the ears quite closely to the head
since nature tends to “unspring” the cartilage somewhat in the
initial months following the surgery, and this OVERCORRECTION is
performed to try and leave them in the ideal position several months
following the surgery. AS WITH ANY SURGICAL PROCEDURE, THE RESULTS
CANNOT BE GUARANTEED ALTHOUGH I GUARANTEE TO DO MY BEST.
Pre-Operative
You will have an appointment approximately one week prior to
surgery. This will allow you to ask questions before your procedure.
All instructions and prescriptions will be given. The following are
some important instructions:
1. Discontinue aspirin products one week prior to surgery (if
there are concern about this, please discuss with Dr. Trimas).
Aspirin can thin your blood, therefore you may bleed easier.
2. Any tests that might be required depending on Dr. Trimas and
your medical history (EKG, blood work, etc.)
3. Wash hair the night before surgery.
4. NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK PAST MIDNIGHT PRIOR TO SURGERY
5. Please do not wear jewelry to surgery.
6. Shorts are a good idea to wear.
7. Please arrange for transportation after your procedure.
8. Do not wear any make-up to surgery.
9. FEES MUST BE PAID IN FULL PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE
Procedure
The operation is usually performed in the office setting,
after which the patient returns home. The case is approximately 45
minutes long for each ear. To explain the procedure, an incision is
made behind the ear and in some cases, a small incision(s) is made
in the front of the ear. If this is necessary, no noticeable
scarring is present. The cartilage framework is exposed and
operative procedures are carried out to reform this framework so
that the ear may be placed in a more natural position. Permanent
stitches are placed in the cartilage to hold the ear in position.
The skin is stitched in a routine fashion.
Scars
The scars are permanent; however, they should be barely
noticeable after a reasonable period of time. Due to the location of
the incision, the scars are inconspicuous. The scars do not
interfere with the wearing of glasses.
Complications
Any type of operation can be attended by certain complication,
but fortunately with this procedure, they are unusual. The
complications can be with the medications given during the case
(perhaps for nausea or an allergic reaction), infection, or
abnormalities of healing such as heavy scar formation (keloid). If
infection or a collection of blood under the skin occurs, this could
also affect the outcome. A temporary condition can be numbness of
the ear. The most common complication represents minor differences
between the ears and occasional “respringing” of the original ear
deformity.
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