Otoplasty

Otoplasty is a plastic procedure for changing the shape of the ears, the effect of which is aimed at achieving an aesthetic result.

Otoplasty is exclusively aesthetic in nature, therefore, it is indicated to be carried out in the following cases:

• pronounced everted ears;
• large ear size;
• massiveness and large shape of the earlobe.

Moreover, ear plastic is assigned for the purpose of:

• reduction of the size of the auricle;
• elimination of defects arising from birth;
• getting rid of scars and scars of ear tissues;
• reconstruction of ear shape in case of underdevelopment or complete absence of shells.

Otoplasty is divided into two types: aesthetic and reconstructive. The first is aimed at eliminating and correcting cosmetic defects. The second is carried out with congenital defects, serious injuries or pathologies of the development of the structure of the ears.

Within reconstructive ear repair, the following types are distinguished:

1. Scalpel. Outdated plastic, which is currently the most affordable in terms of cost. The surgery consists in correcting the shape and position of the cartilage using standard surgical instruments - a scalpel. Intervention can take up to 2 hours of time.
2. Laser. Such otoplasty is characterized by a short recovery period, high accuracy of incisions and an antibacterial effect. The laser beam, acting on the cartilaginous tissue, softens it, resulting in easy dissection. In this case, the wounds heal more quickly.
3. Radio wave. A new type of ear correction, which involves the use of a special device during the surgery that emits radio waves, which make cuts. The undeniable advantage of this method of surgery is the absence of marks of incisions.

Otoplasty is carried out using several surgical methods:

Furnas

The essence of the surgeon's actions boils down to the following:

• the skin is removed in the ear space between the skull and the shell;
• ear cartilage is pulled up and sewn to the temporal bone.

This method is mainly used for everted ears.

Mustard

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• the posterior side of the ear cartilage undergoes excision followed by thinning;
• Formation and fixation of antihelices is performed by means of seams. 

Such plastic is aimed at forming an antipyretic and requires a high level of professionalism, since improper performance of the technique is fraught with ear deformation.

Ethenstorm

• a centimeter cut is made on the back of the ear;
• the cartilage thins in front, stitches in behind, which ultimately forms the desired shape.

Such ear surgery helps reduce the size of the auricle.

Regardless of the method used, otoplasty is carried out using local anesthesia, and its duration can last from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours.

During the first days, the operated area acquires swelling. Throughout the crescent moon, regular dressings are made with a frequency of 2-3 days. At the same time, dressings should not compress the ears much, since this helps to slow down the healing process. After 10 days, the seams are removed. If self-absorbable sutures were used, then there is no need to remove the sutures.