Prominent Ear Surgery
Sometimes we are born with ears that stick out a little more than we are comfortable with, and at ENT Surgeons of Melbourne we are able to help restore normalcy to the ears…
Some patients have ears that tend to be more prominent than others, usually due to a lack of a fold or cartilage within the ear. At ENT Surgeons of Melbourne, we are able to surgically correct this condition that may have your child feeling self-conscious or even depressed. Through this surgery we are effectively able to ‘pin back’ the ears for a more natural look.
Is my child a suitable candidate for prominent ear surgery?
Children need to first meet the following criteria before our surgeons can proceed to surgery.
Your child must:
- Be at least five years of age
- Look after their bandages that will be applied after surgery
- Have strong enough cartilage to be able to be shifted and hold the new shape
Whilst our surgeons cannot guarantee perfection, as it is difficult to achieve total symmetry of the face, we do have a high success rate combined with consistently excellent results.
How is the procedure performed?
A general anaesthetic is necessary for this procedure. An incision is then made behind the ear, with many different techniques utilised in order to restore the cartilage or missing fold within the ear. Once complete, our surgeons will use a long lasting suture to ensure the ear remains in its new position.
What should I expect for my child after the surgery?
Your child’s ears will be swollen and the tops of their heads will be bandaged, in a similar shape to a turban. Depending on your child’s individual condition, your surgeon will be able to discuss with you how often the bandage will need to be checked. Normally the initial bandages are removed the day after surgery, to allow for the packing around and inside the ears to be reviewed. More bandages will be applied and left for roughly 10 days.
Your child will need about a week off school; however it may be delayed depending on how long your surgeon wants the bandages to stay on. All physical activities and contact sports should be avoided for three weeks.
