Protruding ears

The ears protruding are usually a congenital condition, which has a high hereditary component, which affects the cartilage of the ear, but which does not entail a functional disorder.

Ears prominent are very common and are one of the the causes of cosmetic concern that generate the greatest complexes, especially in children.

Fortunately otoplasty is a surgical technique that is safe and effective for correcting protruding ears. By folding the cartilage so that it takes on the correct shape, we achieve some results that are incredible in terms of the level of patient satisfaction on the part of the patients, both children and adults.

When it comes to correcting protruding ears in children, otoplasty can cause anxiety and uncertainty among parents; however, it is a procedure that has been performed for many years, meaning that all surgical techniques and hygiene and infection control protocols have been perfected, for both children and adults.

Prominent ears of a hunchback as we say are a defect purely cosmetic which does not affect the proper functioning of the ear, but it must be borne in mind that many of the patients have a history a26> patients have a history of problems with adjustment since childhood or with childhood traumas caused by their whistling sound, which causes them difficulty with social relationships, inability to tie up their hair, etc.

Prominent ears represent the most significant malformation a8> of the auricle treated at our cosmetic clinic in Barcelona.

In terms of major features, around 90% of the patients who wish to have a malformation of the ear have ears with a murmur. The other 10% consult because they have ears that are excessively large or because present the earlobe large or wishes to remove cosmetic enlargements of the lobules.

Cosmetic surgery on the ears, can be performed on children from the age of 6 years old. In children, general anaesthesia is usually used, whereas in adults the procedure is carried out under local anaesthesia and sedation.

Otoplasty to correct protruding ears in children

From the age of 7, it is possible to have an otoplasty

It is important to bear in mind that by the age of three and a half, the outer ear has already reached 85% of its final size, and this is the age at which treatment for this type of malformation could begin, although it is generally better to wait until the patient is around seven years old.

Protruding ears stick out to the side, which may be due to excessively prominent auricular cartilage or an antihelix that is not fully folded (i.e. it is unfolded). However, this deformity is caused by a combination of both factors.

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The surgical procedure does not usually last more than 1.5 hours, and once the incisions in the patient have been closed, the surgery on the ears is complete.

The surgeons have made the incisions behind your child’s ears, and therefore out of sight. The stitches are hidden and will dissolve in about a week. After a short time in the recovery room, your son can be discharged. At this point, you may want further clarification regarding your son’s ‘recovery time’; please do not hesitate to ask Dr San Miguel and his team for any information you require.

It is normal for the child to experience some pain, swelling and other forms of discomfort after the operation. Any post-operative discomfort can be easily managed with medication.

It is important to note that, just as with all the surgical procedures, in surgery for ear surgery for there is the possibility of that the healing of the incisions may occur.

It is important that, if this happens, you ensure your child knows that the scars will not be visible – any scars, if there are any, will be behind the ears and therefore out of sight. If you have any questions about this, as we advise, please do not hesitate to ask Dr San Miguel or his team, and they will explain everything to you.

His son should be ready to go back to school and to resume his normal routine, in about a week. However, it is important that you do not allow them to do any activity that could cause damage or injury to the ear. Such activity should be avoided for approximately three months, but, as always, consult your doctor to clarify any questions or concerns.

The surgery on the ears of heart murmur is a surgery as we say very appreciated, adults, children, and above all of all the parents will not remember the worry and what they had experienced previously.

Surgical techniques for otoplasty in children and adults

• The choice of the technique will depend on the individual anatomy, the thickness of the cartilage and the preference of the surgeon.
• The techniques for preserving the cartilage tend to to offer a more natural appearance and fewer complications in the long term.
• Techniques for controlled cutting are useful when the cartilage is rigid or difficult to shape solely with sutures.
• The aesthetic result does not only depend on the technique but also on the handling of the cartilage and on the closure behind the ear where the scar is hidden.

1. Techniques involving cutting or scoring of the cartilage

These techniques involve making incisions or cuts in the ear cartilage to weaken it and make it easier to fold. The main aim is to create or reinforce the fold of the antehelix and achieve a more natural shape of the ear.

• Advantages: allows precise control over the shape of the fold, particularly useful when the cartilage is rigid or has little shape memory of shape.
• Disadvantages: may increase the risk of complications, internal scarring and recurrence if not properly managed.

When is it used:

• Rigid adult cartilage.
• Antehelix slightly defined.
• Patients where it requires a more stable and defined form of the fold.

2. Non-surgical techniques (Cartilage-sparing)

Strategic sutures are placed or the cartilage is superficially weakened to allow it to take on its new shape without the need for aggressive incisions.

Advantages:

• Scars hidden behind the ear.
• Lower risk of complications or significant scarring.
• Natural-looking results with high patient satisfaction.

Limitations:
There may be a higher risk of recurrence in extremely stiff cartilage if this technique is not combined with other procedures.

3. Techniques for superficial weakening of cartilage

They involve superficial scraping or light scoring of the anterior surface of the cartilage to reduce its elasticity and allow it to be folded without deep incisions.

• • Allows the cartilage to bend in a more predictable manner and with less visible scarring.

When is it used:

• Patientspatients with firm cartilage who require modification of the antehelix without extensive resection.
• Cases in which it is desired to combine sutures with superficial weakening for greater stability.

4. Techniques combined or tailored

Modern otoplasty often combines several techniques to optimise results depending on the type of cartilage and the specific deformity. This allows

• Adapt the procedure anatomically.
• Reduce complications.
• Improve aesthetic results in the long term.

Pedralbes Clinic es una de las mejores clínicas de cirugía maxilofacial en Barcelona. Dispone de unas instalaciones de vanguardia y un experimentado equipo médico estético.

Tanto la intervención como el tratamiento pre y postoperatorio serán realizados en las propias instalaciones de la clínica situada en el Paseo de Manuel Girona, 14, en Barcelona.