Prominent Ear Correction Surgery in East, North, West, South London

Procedures

Face » Prominent Ear Correction

Why choose us for a Prominent Ear Correction ?

You will be seen and operated on by a fully qualified BAAPS/ BAPRAS Consultant plastic surgeon.
Our prices are competitive and represent outstanding results.
We provide a personal and holistic service to our patients
We put your safety first!

Protruding ears can be a source of embarrassment for many people (adult and children). Children can get teased at school for ears that are prominent ('stick out') and this may be a significant cause for distress for the child. It is essential that it is the child and not the parent that wants their ears "pinned back" (known as otoplasty or pinnaplasty). Cosmetic Surgeons London can reshape your or your child's ears and help achieve a more natural look restoring your facial balance and symmetry. Prominent ear correction can improve your quality of life and make you les self-conscious.

Am I suitable for ear correction surgery (Otoplasty)?

My ears 'stick out'
My ears are different on each side

If this is you and you feel that your ears are out of proportion to your other facial features then Cosmetic Surgeons London can help.

What does prominent ear correction surgery involve?

Otoplasty can be performed using local or general anaesthetic. General anaesthesia is preferred for young children.

You (the Patient's) Journey

Before the operation

You will have seen Mr Sojitra on more than one occasion to fully answer all your questions. It is important to avoid medications, if possible, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) e.g Ibuprofen (Nurofen), Sodium Diclofenac (Voltarol) for 1 week before surgery. These tablets may increase bleeding during and after surgery. It is advisable to stop smoking 2 weeks before and after surgery from both a wound healing and an anaesthetic perspective.

The operation

You will be admitted to hospital on the morning of surgery and your surgeon along with his consultant anaesthetist will come and discuss the surgical plan again with you. You will usually be required to have a general anaesthetic. The operation will take approximately 1 hour. Your surgeon will inject local anaesthetic and adrenaline around your ear once you are asleep. This helps reduce bleeding during your operation as well as reducing pain and improving your post operative comfort. Cosmetic Surgeons London always puts your comfort first. The incision is made behind the ear and the scar will lie in the crease behind your ear. The ear is re-shaped by moulding the cartilage using permanent stitches which remain under the skin. All the stitches used on the skin behind the ear will dissolve to maximise comfort for you. You will wake up with a head bandage. You will need to have a friend or family member to drive you to and from the hospital and to look after you for the first 24-48 hours following surgery.

Recovery

You will experience some degree of bruising, swelling, and discomfort around your ears. Our consultant anaesthetist will prescribe you adequate medication to take home to alleviate any discomfort you may experience. It is important not to get the dressings wet after surgery and you will be advised on showering. It is important to realise that should one ear become more uncomfortable than the other under the bandages then you must return to hospital to ensure that there is not an underlying blood collection (which can happen on rare occasions). Depending on your type of work, you may return to work between 7-14 days after your procedure. No heavy lifting, straining or strenuous exercise for 6 weeks. Your surgeon will see you 7days after surgery at which point the head bandage will be removed and you will be able to first look at your new set of ears. Your surgeon will closely follow your recovery. You must wear a head band (like a tennis band) for 6 weeks at night.

Safety and potential complications?

Scars

Scarring on the whole is not problematic. A scar will always exist and will be hidden in the crease behind the ear. Certain individuals e.g. afro-carribean races and red haired individuals are at a higher risk of forming excess scar tissue (keloid or hypertrophic scars). Should these scars develop excellent advice and treatment will be provided by Mr Sojitra.

Bleeding

Rarely, small blood vessels can open up after surgery. This may come to light in the first 24-48 hours by a feeling that one of the ears is more uncomfortable than the other. If this is the case you must come to the hospital and be assessed. If it is found that you have a collection of blood (haematoma) then this is washed out in the operating theatre. No permanent side effects will occur and your otoplasty result will be unaffected.

Infection

This is an uncommon problem in ear correction surgery. Antibiotics rarely need to be given.

Alteration in skin sensation over the ear

The area over the ear where the skin has been lifted is often numb immediately after surgery. This gradually recovers back to normal as the swelling subsides.

Revisional Procedure

In approximately 5% patients a further procedure will be required to correct minor asymmetries.

Useful Sources of Information for Otoplasty

Cosmetic Surgeons London can improve the appearance of your ears in relation to the rest of your facial features and carries a high satisfaction rate.