Prominent Ears
Prominent ears are also referred to as 'bat ears' & ear correction is what is commonly referred to as 'pinning the ears back' for children & also adults who feel that their ears are too prominent & point outwards.
Who normally requests 'bat ear' correction? Most patients are children who become bullied or teased at school by their friends because of the shape & the size of their ears.
Others are adults who do not like the appearance & would like them set back for them.
At what age can you do bat ear correction?
Usually when the cartilage is firm enough & the child can understand & appreciate what the operation entails. Children are more likely to understand & appreciate when the child becomes self-conscious & feels it is a problem & desires correction. Usually this occurs after the age of five for most children.
Anaesthetic: Usually general anaesthetic for children. It can also be performed under local anaesthetic in adults who desire so. Duration of operation 1 - 1½ half hours.
Time off work: 7 - 10 days off work or school.
Technique: A small piece of skin is taken out from the back of the ear. Through this the cartilage is exposed, some scratches are made on the cartilage to fold it in the desired direction & is held in place with stitches. Following the operation special kinds of dressings are applied to hold the ears & the contours of the ears in place. This is usually kept on day & night for 7 - 10 days.
Duration of stay in hospital: Most patients can go home the same day. Others stay overnight especially children & following a general anaesthetic.
Post-Op Care: Following surgery a special kind of dressing is applied in theatre which is kept in place for 7 - 10 days.
Patients are usually given painkillers & occasionally may be given a short course of antibiotics.
Instructions about how to care for their dressings are given before discharge. After the period of the permanent dressings (7 - 10 days) the dressings are taken off, a hair wash can then be undertaken. Following that most surgeons advise some form of dressing or headband every night to keep the ears in place for a variable of a few weeks to a few months.
Risk and complications: There are complications that can occur with any operation including with the anaesthetic. Chest infection or even blood clots in the leg can occur but are usually rare with this operation.
Specific complications: In the early period there might be vomiting, usually taken care with anti-vomiting tablets. This can be due to irritation of the ear because of the special dressings. This is not usually a problem but if this persists it may signify a collection of blood underneath the skin.
Slipping of the dressings: This occurs more commonly in children. Instructions are given to bring the child back to the hospital for re-application of the dressing. This is necessary as it is believed that these dressings help maintain the shape which is achieved in theatre.
Haematoma: If bleeding occurs underneath the skin, this may be signified by trickling of blood underneath the dressings or pain that is not controlled by usual painkillers. This will require a trip back to theatre in some cases to go & remove the blood clot & re-stitch the wounds.
Infection: Is not common.
Wound breakdown: Is not common. Occasionally there are small areas of superficial skin slough if the dressing is very tight. This is usually treated by dressings & takes a few weeks to heal.
Recurrence of the 'bat ears' can occur, though rare. This is more common if the child gets involved in contact sports where pull on the ear therefore contact sports are avoided for the first 6 weeks. This includes swimming.
The scars can become raised in some patients & this may require injection with steroids & re-excision.