* The changes in the auricle with prominent ear deformity are as follows;
1. Increasing the angle of the ear with the head,
2. Absence of a fold of the auricle or less than normal,
3. The hollow area in the auricle is deeper or larger than normal.
These changes differ in prominent ear patients. In prominent ear aesthetic surgery, combined procedures are performed to eliminate these problems. Appropriate procedures can also be applied to patients with different problems.
* Although the incidence is increasing in children whose parents have prominent ear deformation, it can also be seen in children whose parents do not have prominent ears. Prominent ear deformation is seen in approximately one out of 20 children in the population.
In the first months after birth, the auricle cartilage of babies is soft due to the hormones passed from the mother and it takes 1-2 months to return to normal. Therefore, the appearance of prominent ears can be prevented or reduced with hair bands or splints to be applied to babies in the first months.
* Prominent ear deformation can be eliminated by prominent ear aesthetic surgery and the best time recommended for this procedure is preschool period. Because the sense of conscience in children is not fully formed yet. They may say insulting and mocking words, especially to their friends who have differences. Our children who are exposed to these negative situations can also be negatively affected psychologically. In adulthood, they may be socially shy and insecure. Children with prominent ear appearance can be prevented from being exposed to these sarcastic behaviors, which may adversely affect their entire lives, before they start school, with the auricle straighten process.
* On the other hand, since almost all of the auricle development (80-90%) takes place until pre-school age, aesthetic ear surgery at a young age (5-6 years) does not have a negative effect on ear development.
* Many different techniques are used in prominent ear surgery. This deformation can even be corrected using only threads (without skin-cartilage incisions and skin sutures). However, the ideal is to apply the most permanent and correct technique according to the patient's needs. With the right technique, it is possible to intervene in the cartilage by reaching through an incision that is hardly noticeable and is already behind the ear.
* Auricular correction takes 1-1.5 hours and can be performed under local anesthesia, except for pediatric patients. Hospitalization is not required. After the operation, a special bandage is put on. The first dressing is done after 2 or 3 days, and then the patient continues to apply bandages day and night for 2-3 weeks and at night for the next 2 weeks. Patients who have aesthetic ear surgery do not experience severe pain due to the drugs used, but there may be discomfort due to the dressing in the first days. This may also be due to the putting on a bandage being too tight. In such a case, a slight loosening of the dressing may be required.
* Patients can take a bath after the first bandaging is opened (2nd-3rd day). It is appropriate for them to rest for the first few days, and they can engage in non-heavy sports activities with their bandages in the following times. It is not appropriate to do heavy exercise before 4-6 weeks.
* In the first days after prominent ear aesthetics, complications such as bleeding and stitching may occur. However, the probability of it happening is very low. In the long term, undesirable situations such as some opening in the ears, minimal asymmetry and the prominence of suture knots behind the ear may rarely occur. There should be more than 3 mm asymmetry between the two ears in order to be easily noticed. Therefore, tiny asymmetries do not cause problems. However, if there is significant asymmetry, revision operation may be required.
As aesthetic ear surgery, not only the prominent ear correction, but also the reduction of the large auricle (ideally the upper border of the auricle should be at the eyebrow margin and the lower border should be at the base of the nose). operations are also possible. Hospitalization is not required for these procedures, which can be performed with local anesthesia.