Ear surgery
The ear conch is being formed gradually till the eighth to tenth year of age, forming a configuration of the shape that is specific for each individual. The most common deformity is in the angle of attachment of the conch to the head – the so called flap ears, which is often inherited. In some cases an element of the ear conch is missing or not well expressed; the size of it may be too large or asymmetrical.
The aim of this surgery is to correct the angle, to shape the poorly shaped element or to recreate such missing ones. In adult patients local anaesthesia is used, while with children – general one. The incision is made in the grove behind the ear and remains invisible. The cartilage is being treated in a particular way that makes it elastic. Specifically designed bandage is warn for 5 to 8 days.
Post-surgery period
The recovery from an ear conch correction surgery is usually painless, only the bandage feels uncomfortable to some extent. Surgeries with local anaesthesia require only a two-hour stay in hospital, while those made with general anaesthesia the monitoring period is twenty-four hours. It is normal after surgery to feel the ears as “strangers”. In the immediate post-surgery days possible but rare are such adverse effects as reddening of the ears, swelling or turning purple, which quickly disappear. The sutures are removed within 7th-11th day, and for 30 days on wearing a protective elastic headband is mandatory.
At what age the surgery may be done?
Taking into account the anatomic development of the ear conch, this type of surgery should not be made before 4 to 6 years of age. If no expressed medical indications are present, it is better even after that age to postpone surgery until the time when the child-patient is able to decide for themselves whether such correction is desirable.
