Ear correction surgery | Ear pinning

Ear correction with surgery – synonyms & principle

synonyms: classic ear correction with surgery, otoplasty, ear pinning, ear correction, ear pinning with the thread method

principle: usually pinning the ears by improving the angle of the outer ear through sutures or weakening/reducing the earlobes

is sometimes combined with…

• ear reduction
• correction of torn earlobe
• possibly facelift (same cut)

efficiency

Basically, there are many possibilities for change here.

Two main areas of the approach are

• Change in the angle of the antihelix (=ear bulge, protrusion of the ear cartilage on the front of the auricle)
• Reduction of the ear cartilage in the auricle (and thus also slight reduction in the horizontal direction)

treatment duration

On average, an ear correction with surgery takes 1-1.5 hours, if more complex also longer.

repetition of the treatment

Basically, ear correction by surgery is only performed once.

Recurrences or slight asymmetries are certainly possible and are actually always an issue, even to a minimal extent.

After about a year, you can speak of a final result. After that, not much changes. Until then, however, the surgical area is a wound that is healing and changing (swelling down, becoming softer, etc.).

Application in which body region

ear/ears

decision-making aids

Essentially, these are fundamental decisionsthat constitute ear correction through surgery.

Should I have ear correction surgery? do it at all? – Sometimes it is better not to do something at all.

Good advice highlights all the advantages and disadvantages of a treatment – and thus helps you make the right decision.

the right dose: The desired result should be discussed in detail before the operation. Above all, ears that are too prominent do not look particularly beautiful or harmonious. It should also be precisely analyzed which parts are responsible for the ear or ears sticking out - and what the appropriate corrective measures can/should achieve.

Incision/Scar: is usually located behind the ear (if necessary) and is therefore relatively well hidden. With the variant with only threads, small stitches are sufficient. Anyone who is prone to keloids (=scar growth) should generally always consider an operation with an incision/scar. If a scar becomes harder, however, there is almost always something that can be done about it.

Headband/protection? – in contrast to other regions, it is difficult to hide the ears. 2-3 weeks a well-fitting (not too tight, not too loose) headband (or hood, etc.) as much as possible day and night - and then 3 weeks only at night – to protect the ears. In midsummer, this procedure may not be as pleasant (although possible)

Every treatment is different: In my opinion, individual adjustment to the face and the existing ear shape is crucial for maximum harmony and balance of the newly formed ear.

What should you have heard/read before undergoing ear correction surgery?

Step formation, irregular surface: is often a certain issue and is partly simply due to the low soft tissue coverage (mostly just skin)

Asymmetry: Whenever there are two sides, there will be asymmetry before and after treatment. No two halves of the face are the same, and eye sockets are often a few millimeters different in height. It is impossible and unrealistic to promise a symmetrical result. But of course the goal is always to achieve the most symmetrical result possible. Scar tissue can be loosened after the stitches are removed. It is also important to protect the wound after the operation (headband) so that you cannot, for example, get caught on something or put unnecessary strain on the ear.

Prejudices

Ear correction with surgery is only done by children: not true…

facts

Even though the focus of the operations is on the age of 10 years plus/minus, there are still enough adults who only decide to have ear correction surgery at this age.

most common possible side effects/complications

• swelling/bruising
• infection (extremely rare under antibiotic prophylaxis)
• Ears can hurt after surgery – especially during the first night. However, any pain can be managed with the right painkillers
• Post-operative bleeding (I try to exclude this as much as possible using a special suture technique)
• Asymmetry (always present on two sides to a certain extent)

details Information on possible complications can be found in the information documents

In summary, good preparation (information, explanation, preliminary examinations, precise clarification of wishes, etc.) as well as the experience of the surgeon are the most important factors for the success of an ear correction operation.

You should avoid…

• overcorrections
• Techniques that tend to form edges

anesthesia

Possible anesthesiaforms for ear correction surgery

• Local anesthesia
• twilight sleep
• general anesthesia

the operation

• Deadlines must be met in Austria (surgical information and anesthesia information) – this means that there is a waiting period of at least 3-4 weeks from the decision to undergo breast enlargement, but often longer.
• Get a headband – well fitting, but not too tight
• Blood-thinning medications up to 7 weeks before surgery
• We will inform you if a psychological report may be necessary before your surgery.
• THINKING POSITIVELY – helps. It not only prolongs life, but is also always a good first step towards any treatment or operation.

the operation

Rest for 3 weeks in the sense of:

• do not lift more than 5-6kg
• nothing jerky
• don't work headfirst

Showering is permitted from the first day after surgery – also makes sense to remove crusts and deposits behind the ear and to gently clean the wound

Wearing the headband consistently

• 3 weeks day and night
• 3 Weeks at Night

Suture removal approx. 10-14th day – but don’t worry! – we mostly use self-dissolving sutures

our preferred technique/recommendation

• Cut (as short as possible, as long as necessary) behind the ear or with the thread method only in the sense of small embroidery
• mostly self-dissolving seams
• Local anesthesia is usually sufficient, but twilight sleep or gentle general anesthesia is also possible

Cost

approx. 2700-4700 ear replacement on both sides in LA

depending on the extent and technique (pure ear edge, auricle, earlobe)

minus consultation costs

optional costs for anesthesia and anesthetist

400 optional overnight stay at the clinic with nurse/450 for overnight stay from Friday to Saturday – if necessary or useful – normally not necessary

100 Costs for day admission to the clinic (if no overnight stay is planned) – if necessary and reasonable – normally not necessary

70 optional special price recommended scar ointment + disinfectant spray (regular after surgery 103)

The prices listed are average values and could be cheaper or more expensive. The final total price will be determined during the second consultation (=consent) depending on the individual effort/planned operation time, combinations, desired clinic/room category and other factors.

reasonable budget

The costs depend on the type of anesthesia, the complexity and other factors.

A final cost estimate is only possible and meaningful after a detailed on-site inspection and clarification of individual wishes.

downtime

In general, 2-3 weeks of rest be taken into account – this means specifically:

• lifting no more than 5-6 kg
• no jerky movements
• do not perform any activities overhead

Important to know…

• Plan for rest
• because of headband surgery in midsummer possible – but not necessarily recommended

Left

You can also find valuable information at

ear correction surgery