Ear correction surgery is the most desired surgery for those suffering from protruding ears. After surgery, it is important to follow all the surgeon’s recommendations to avoid complications.

Rehabilitation after otoplasty

As a rule, the patient leaves the clinic a few hours after the operation and undergoes outpatient recovery. Sometimes rehabilitation in the ward may be prescribed for a day.

Before discharge, dressing and postoperative examination are prescribed, or for these purposes it is necessary to come to the hospital.

One week after otoplasty

For the first three days, a bandage and a bandage are put on the head after otoplasty with a tight fixation of the ears; it is worn around the clock and is not removed.

On the third day, an examination by a surgeon is scheduled, the compression bandage and cotton swabs are removed. Some experts leave the compression bandage on for another four days, but can be removed for showering and leaving the house.

Three days after removing the bandage and removing the tampons:

• Hair washing is only permissible from the third day when the special bandage is removed. The water temperature should not be hot. There are no restrictions on the choice of shampoo, but if possible, ears and seams should not be touched.
• You can use a hair dryer to dry your hair, but it is advisable to use cool or warm air.
• The sutures are treated with Chlorhexidine or Miramistin twice a day.

Another examination and removal of sutures is scheduled for 7-10 days.. During this period, there is no point in expecting final results from the correction of protruding ears - there is still swelling on the cartilage, and the ears themselves are too pressed to the head.

One month after otoplasty

After the first week after ear surgery, the headband is put on only during sleep and worn for 2-3 weeks.

What to do after otoplasty

• It is advisable to sleep on your back after ear surgery. However, there is an opinion of experts that in the absence of pain and complicated operations, sleep is possible even on the operated ears, that is, on the side.
• Visit to the swimming pool, taking a bath, sauna, hammam, sauna are prohibited until the postoperative sutures have completely healed, about two weeks.
• Sports training are also canceled until the ears heal. At the same time, contact sports are banned for an average of a year.
• Wearing glasses is acceptable after a month or two of ear surgery; at this time it is advisable to switch to lenses.
• Hair coloring and cutting are permissible after the seams have fused. At the same time, it is important that the ears are not bent or pulled back (this recommendation is relevant for 6-12 months after ear correction).
• Sunbathing and solarium are allowed from 7-14 days after consultation with the surgeon. It is worth considering that the seam areas are photosensitive to solar radiation; it is advisable to apply sunscreen and a hat.
• Alcohol for the first week, or better yet, for a longer period is undesirable, as it slows down healing and increases swelling in the ears.

Headphones that are inserted into the ears and large ones on top have no restrictions.

• You can wear earrings from the third day, the only exception is heavy jewelry that pulls on the earlobe and ear.
• Self-prescription of vitamin-mineral complexes, as well as the use of local ointments, is undesirable without a doctor’s prescription.

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Complications after otoplasty

Any surgical intervention leads to predictable and, accordingly, expected complications, as well as unpredictable ones.

1. Bruises after otoplasty are a response to surgery. This complication resolves on its own within two weeks. This defect can be hidden with a hairstyle or with loose hair.
2. Swelling after otoplasty, is also normal and resolves within a month. Some swelling of the cartilage may be mildly present for up to three months.
3. How much do your ears hurt after otoplasty?? The pain is individual and begins to be felt immediately after the anesthesia wears off. Pain after ear surgery lasts no more than a week and is relieved with analgesics.
4. Mild numbness may be felt in an ear or two for up to a month and a half and should go away on its own.

If you decide to undergo otoplasty, then appropriate attention should be paid to compliance with all the rules of the recovery period.

Any self-respecting plastic surgeon will say with confidence that for the first days of the rehabilitation period the patient will need a special elastic headband after otoplasty. Therefore, it is necessary to buy it in advance, before the operation.

Using an elastic bandage instead of a bandage is not recommended.

The bandage should not put too much pressure on the head and should not be tight, so when purchasing, you should choose the appropriate size.

• The bandage is elastic, about 7 cm wide, translucent, mesh, which allows the skin to breathe, and is fixed with Velcro.
• The headbands are available for children and adults, and are very beautiful in appearance.
• You can buy a bandage at any pharmacy.

The main function of an elastic headband after otoplasty is to protect the ears from mechanical damage and fix the new shape of the ears. The bandage also secures cotton swabs soaked in an oil solution (mainly Vaseline), which prevents infection and favorably promotes the healing of sutures.

The elastic bandage is made of fabric material using antibacterial powder. The average duration of cartilage fusion lasts about 1-2.5 months. Active sports should be postponed for 4-5 months. The bandage must be worn for 7-10 days, maximum 14 days, and another month while sleeping, so as not to damage the seams.

Attention

It is important to prevent water from coming into contact with the dressing. It is recommended to sleep on your back so as not to cause discomfort and not disturb the healing stitches. With proper use of an elastic bandage, surgical sutures heal faster and the effect of the operation is enhanced.

Otoplasty is a plastic surgery that requires special attention during the rehabilitation period. If all recommendations for the post-operative period are not followed, the result may be zero.

The need for a bandage after otoplasty

After you have removed the bandage, you will need to use a post-otoplasty bandage during the recovery process. This should be done 3-4 days after the operation.

It is important to choose the correct size bandage to prevent severe compression of the head and disruption of blood circulation.

If you feel pain when using a bandage, you should choose a larger bandage. The bandage performs the fixing function of the ears that have undergone surgery.

Also wearing a bandage reduces swelling and possible bruising.

In most cases, the bandage material is treated with a medical silver solution, which allows the operated area to be naturally protected from pathogenic microflora during the rehabilitation period.

The mesh structure of the bandage after otoplasty allows the skin to breathe, which has a positive effect on the healing process of sutures and maintaining normal blood circulation. When removing the bandage, the seams must be coated with Vaseline to prevent infection from entering open wounds.

This is interesting

The bandage looks quite beautiful, resembling a sports headband; you can even choose the color of the bandage - black or beige. It is recommended to wear the bandage around the clock for two weeks, and then put it on at night for 2 months in order to avoid damaging the surgical sutures during sleep.

The effect obtained after otoplasty directly depends on the correct wearing of the bandage, which is an integral part of the rehabilitation period. The bandage minimizes the possible discomfort that the patient will experience during the healing process of the sutures.

The usefulness of compression bandages on the ears after otoplasty

An indispensable part of the recovery process after surgery is the use of a compression bandage, which can be purchased at any pharmacy or textile store. Most often, the cost of a compression bandage after otoplasty is already included in the cost of the operation and is given to the patient directly at the clinic.

For the correct rehabilitation process, the use of a bandage is necessary. It is important to buy a bandage that suits your size so that it does not put pressure on your head and thereby interfere with blood circulation to the brain.

Using a compression bandage after otoplasty

The compression bandage, in turn, performs the following functional range:

• fixation of the correct position of the ears throughout the entire recovery process;
• prevention of infection and inflammation of open wounds due to infection;
• reduction of bruising and swelling;
• protection of the surgical site from injury and mechanical impact.

The compression bandage is made of a special medical material with an antibacterial coating. Breathable material promotes better healing and circulation.

The compression bandage is quite elastic, which allows you to adjust the level of compression. Any self-respecting plastic surgeon will insist on using a compression bandage to achieve the maximum effect from the operation, since the bandage directly affects the result.

Due to the fact that each person has their own characteristics of the body, the healing process may be different, but the maximum period of wearing a compression bandage is no more than two weeks. If you plan to play sports, then during exercise you must wear a bandage for six months.

Otoplasty literally means “ear reshaping” and in most cases this procedure is used to correct excessively protruding ears.

Abnormally protruding ears occur in approximately 5% of the population.

Protruding or protruding ears can cause psychological trauma to the patient due to unpleasant comments. The ideal age for correcting this defect is between five and seven years old, because at this age the ears are already fully formed and have an adult size, and also to prevent stressful situations for children who often face ridicule.

Otoplasty can help men, women and children of all ages overcome the embarrassment and frustration caused by irregularly shaped or protruding ears.

Otoplasty is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures for children. The surgeon's ultimate goal is to create a natural, proportional and symmetrical appearance of the ears.

Ears may appear enlarged due to the following factors:

• the ear cartilage is formed without bending close to the upper edge,
• an excessive amount of cartilage forms in the middle of the ear,
• the angle between the ear is greater than normal.

Progress of the operation

The operation is performed under general anesthesia and is usually performed on both ears, but sometimes people have only one protruding ear that undergoes correction. Surgery on both ears can take approximately 120 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia, with additional intravenous sedation. For children, general anesthesia is used.

Otoplasty is performed by refining or thinning the cartilage structure of the ear. Surgical incisions are usually placed behind the ear in the natural crease (where the ear meets the head) and therefore scars from this procedure are usually not visible.

The technique varies depending on the problem that needs correction, and is usually a combination of cartilage resection and removal of excess soft tissue behind the ear. In most cases, surgery involves placing permanent sutures to position the ear closer to the head. After surgical cartilage correction, the skin at the back of the ear is secured in place using surgical sutures and then maintained in its new position using carefully applied pressure (bandage, compression bandage). If non-absorbable materials are used, sutures are usually removed 5-7 days after surgery.

Postoperative stage

During the postoperative phase of otoplasty, it is important to follow all instructions from the surgeon. Otoplasty is often performed on young children, so parents and caregivers play an important role in providing postoperative care. In general, the postoperative period for ear surgery is 7-10 days and includes normal recovery. Complications are rare.

Bandage

Postoperative dressing is a very important part of surgery. After the procedure, the bandage compresses the surgical area and should remain in place for 48 hours. It will help maintain the new position of the ear in the immediate postoperative period, but mainly helps prevent the accumulation of blood (hematoma). You cannot manipulate the bandage yourself, even if there is slight bleeding (which is normal and should not frighten the patient).

It is important to monitor children after ear surgery to ensure that the bandage remains in place for the first 24 hours. The dressing is changed on the second and fourth days after surgery.

The dressing remains on the treated areas for the first five to seven days of the postoperative period. It is important not to move the bandage as this may increase the risk of infection and other complications. After removing the bandage, it is recommended to wear a compression bandage (elastic bandage) at night for 30 days. This will provide protection for your ears while you sleep to prevent them from shifting when moving. A compression bandage is needed to complete the healing of the cartilage.

Pain

In the postoperative period, the patient may experience mild pain. The pain is usually very minor. However, if the patient is hypersensitive to pain, the use of analgesics is recommended.

Ear sensitivity is a normal post-operative symptom that subsides quickly.

Patients typically describe feeling "pain and discomfort" rather than experiencing specific pain. These symptoms usually improve quickly after the surgical dressing is removed.

Swelling and bruising

During the first 2-3 weeks, noticeable swelling is observed. Bruises (bruises on the skin) may resolve spontaneously or require surgical drainage. It is important to remember that the body needs time to recover from surgical trauma. Your surgeon may recommend arnica ointments and medications to help relieve swelling and bruising post-oplasty. In some cases, the temperature may rise slightly over the course of two to three days.

Bleeding and bruising are rare. Sometimes slight bleeding may occur and, as a result, a hematoma forms between the cartilage and the skin, which quickly resolves on its own.

Patients are advised to stand as upright as possible during the early stages of recovery to allow residual swelling and bruising to resolve more quickly. After surgery, you should not take aspirin or medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen, as they have an anticoagulant effect.

Hygiene

It is important for patients to pay close attention to personal hygiene during the early postoperative period. You can take a bath 48 hours after the procedure, but you should not get the bandage wet.

After suture removal (7-14 days after surgery), patients are advised to gently shower and wash their hair daily to keep the wound healing area as clean as possible. It is recommended to wash your hair with warm water and mild shampoo (for example, baby shampoo). To dry your hair, use a soft towel, blotting it with gentle movements.

Following the procedure, patients may be prescribed a week's course of antibiotics to minimize infections.

Chemical hair treatment (coloring, perm) is not recommended for several weeks after surgery, and only after consultation with a doctor. The earrings can be worn two weeks after surgery.

Sleep and rest

In the early postoperative period, the patient needs to sleep and rest as much as possible.

Young children should be kept at a low level of activity for the first few weeks after surgery.

During sleep, the patient's head should be supported by two or three pillows to keep the head elevated at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal position. It is also advisable to use two pillows on each side to avoid turning on your side during the night, which can cause harm to the operated area. The ideal position is on your back, with your head and body slightly elevated to reduce swelling.

Physical activity

The behavior of cartilage after remodeling is difficult to predict in the early postoperative period.

In the first 7 days, it is necessary to exclude any activity, exercise, or sport that can raise blood pressure and cause swelling.

To minimize injury, contact sports should be avoided. After two weeks, you can resume sports activities, but with caution so as not to subject your ears to excessive stress and possible injury.

Contact sports may be allowed after six weeks postoperatively. After a month, the patient can return to his normal physical activities, including gymnastics, swimming, etc.

Sun and warmth

The operated areas are sensitive to light for the first few weeks after surgery. Exposure to the sun is allowed only after 30 days. Until then, short walks in the sun are allowed, with the mandatory use of sunscreen. It is recommended to wear sunglasses for a month. Avoid extreme heat (eg, sauna, solarium). The skin is still sensitive and such exposure can cause 3rd degree burns.

Scarring

Otoplasty scars are usually not noticeable because they are hidden in the groove behind the ear. In case of development of pathological scars (keloids), doctors practice local corticosteroid therapy and the use of silicone patches.

Possible risks and complications

Complications can occur with any operation. Cosmetic surgery is usually performed voluntarily on healthy patients. Complications after otoplasty are rare.

Complications that occur in the postoperative period may include wound dehiscence, infections, partial or complete necrosis of the skin of the ears, and large hematomas requiring drainage.

Due to the nature of otoplasty, some of the nerves that provide sensation to the ear will be shortened, and the ear may lose some sensation. Most sensation will return, but some parts of the ear may remain numb. Changes in sensation and numbness in the ears are a common side effect up to 12 months after surgery.

Ear cartilage has “memory,” which means that the cartilage tends to return to its original shape.

After any otoplasty, it is possible for the ears to return to a protruding or protruding state.

Rare infections can be successfully treated with antibiotics.

Results

One week after surgery, initial aesthetic improvements in the shape and position of the ear can be assessed. After removing the bandage, patients immediately notice an improvement. Results will continue to improve over the next six weeks as residual swelling subsides, although the healing process is not yet complete.

Otoplasty is a branch of aesthetic surgery that helps correct the size and shape of the ears. It is used to correct congenital and acquired ear defects, eliminate asymmetry and give them a beautiful shape. Modern equipment and effective medications make the operation as quick and painless as possible. After otoplasty is performed, rehabilitation is the most important point on which the final result of the entire procedure depends, so it is necessary to treat it with special attention.

How is otoplasty performed?

Otoplasty is one of the few plastic surgeries that are successfully performed under local anesthesia. It takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the degree of difficulty. Virtually no preliminary preparation is required. But in order to make sure there are no medical contraindications that can cause various complications, you will have to undergo a series of laboratory tests.

The incisions are made with a regular or laser scalpel behind the ears, where they will subsequently become completely invisible. After all necessary manipulations have been completed, the incision sites are closed with cosmetic sutures. How long rehabilitation after otoplasty lasts largely depends on the individual characteristics of the body, as well as on the amount of correction performed.

Stages of rehabilitation

Typically, after otoplasty is performed, recovery begins within a couple of hours. Immediately after the operation, the ears are fixed with a special plaster, a cotton compress with a healing agent is applied to them, and a tight elastic bandage around the head maintains the correct position. The entire rhinoplasty rehabilitation period is divided into several key stages.

It is advisable to avoid playing ball, contact martial arts and other sports in which the ears can be injured.

Postoperative dressing

The bandage, which must be worn during the rehabilitation period after otoplasty, reliably holds both conchae in the correct position. In addition, it is necessary to prevent their displacement before the tissue healing process begins.

This product copes well with the following tasks:

• protects ears from injury;
• prevents the spread of hematomas and edema, which usually form in the operated area.

Note that the bandage after otoplasty has a very convenient feature. Manufacturers produce it in the so-called universal size. But it fits on any head, as it is equipped with a special clasp.

What does it look like

This medical accessory has a ring shape. In essence, this is a simple bandage - elastic or ordinary. If desired, it is permissible to wear a bandage instead.

Today you can buy a special head bandage in pharmacies or specialized medical equipment stores. In terms of characteristics, it is no different from a compression bandage after otoplasty. But it looks much more presentable.

This accessory is very similar to the headband that athletes usually wear. It can often be seen, for example, on tennis players. It differs, as already mentioned, only in the presence of an adjustable fastener (Velcro).

Duration of wearing

Many people are interested in how long they will have to wear the bandage. As a rule, the doctor recommends walking in it for at least a week. The maximum period is 14 days. This accessory can only be removed with the permission of a doctor.

After the doctor puts a compression bandage on the patient, the patient can go home. True, then he will need to make several more visits to the clinic so that the surgeon can monitor how the rehabilitation is going and make dressings.

It is necessary to change the bandage. This is necessary to maintain hygiene and prevent the development of pathological processes.

The patient must be bandaged at least twice:

1. The next day after surgery. At the same time, the doctor evaluates the work done.
2. On day 8. The stitches are removed. The surgeon carefully examines the ears and gives recommendations for care.

Proper wearing of a compression bandage after otoplasty and compliance with all rehabilitation rules will largely determine the cosmetic effect of the intervention.

Possible complications

Otoplasty is not a complex or traumatic operation, therefore, if all recommendations for the rehabilitation period are followed strictly, complications are extremely rare. Negative consequences after otoplasty occur in cases where:

• the sutures become infected and rot;
• inflammation is activated due to refusal of antibiotics;
• bleeding occurs due to mechanical injury;
• The ear is deformed due to displacement of the fixing bandage.

It is extremely rare that due to insufficient qualifications of the surgeon, complete or partial loss of ear sensitivity occurs, as well as curvature of the shape of the auricle. Therefore, before deciding to have an operation, it is necessary to collect as much information and reviews as possible about the doctor and the clinic where otoplasty will be performed.

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Nastya (years old, Simferopol), 04/05/2018

Hello, sorry for bothering you, I had otoplasty 5 days ago, on the 4th day I was allowed to wash my hair, but I haven’t washed it yet, I’m just getting ready to, please tell me how not to wash it? Is it possible to tilt your head over the bathtub? After all, bending over is not recommended. And also, it’s very difficult to wash your hair without getting the seams wet, is it okay if they get wet? Thank you in advance for your answer, since it is not yet possible to contact the surgeon. And I simply forgot to ask these questions earlier.

Hello, Nastya. You can wash your hair on the third day after surgery. Washing upside down is acceptable; the seams can be wetted, but must be dried after washing.

Anton (24 years old, Moscow), 03/30/2018

I'm interested in a fairly standard question. I have a serious job, almost no days off, but I am planning to have otoplasty because I am unhappy with the shape of my ears. How many days after this can I return to work, and how long will I have to wear the bandage? Best regards, Anton.

Hello, Anton! After surgery to correct the shape of the ears, it is necessary to constantly wear a bandage for a whole week. And then for another 14 days you will need to wear it at night. It is not recommended to go to work for 7-14 days, depending on the patient’s well-being. If you intend to return from sick leave, you should limit physical labor and sports. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin.

Daria (20 years old, Moscow), 02/26/2018

Hello! I'm interested in the process of otoplasty. Is the cartilage removed or are the ears simply folded over? And most importantly: they will not return to their previous state? Thanks for the information.

Good morning! There are different methods for performing this operation. Each doctor uses his own technique. I use a method without removing cartilage. Regarding returns, I have not observed such cases in my practice.

Arina (27 years old, Moscow), 06/06/2017

Hello! My name is Arina. I have severe protruding ears, which I decided to remove surgically in your clinic. The only thing that bothers me is that I have a little daughter. Can I continue breastfeeding, since this is a fundamentally important question for me. Very grateful for your time. Sincerely.

Good afternoon, Arina. During the rehabilitation period, you will not be able to breastfeed. Within a week after ear surgery, you will be able to continue breastfeeding. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin!

Olga (28 years old, St. Petersburg), 06/01/2017

Question! Do I need to stay in the clinic after otoplasty? Since I will come for the operation from another city. I need to understand how long everything will last. Olga. Petersburg.

Good afternoon, Olga. The ear surgery itself can last from 40 minutes to an hour. But after surgery, we recommend that each patient spend the night in the clinic so that we can monitor the postoperative condition. If you wish, you can leave the hospital immediately after otoplasty. Let me remind you that you should wear a special bandage for another 10 days after the operation. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin!

Maxim (26 years old, Moscow), 05/31/2017

Tell me, will my hearing change after otoplasty? Maybe he will improve?

Good afternoon, Maxim. Otoplasty does not in any way affect your ability to distinguish sounds. Of course, we tell all patients that the shape of the shells orients them in space, so even if the defect is in one ear, we recommend performing otoplasty on the second ear.

Timur (33 years old, Moscow), 05/30/2017

Hello! My name is Timur, I'm 33 years old. When I was young, I pierced both my ears, but now I hold a very prestigious position, so I had to take off my jewelry. Tell me, is it possible, using your skill, to make sure that there are no holes left from the earrings?

Hello, Timur! Puncture holes heal on their own. If we talk about plastic surgery, then barely noticeable linear scars will remain. It may be worth waiting for them to heal on their own. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin!

Natalia (29 years old, Klimovsk), 05/28/2017

Good afternoon My husband has a congenital defect - no earlobe. Frankly, I don’t pay much attention to this, but my husband is very worried. Of course, this creates certain difficulties for him in communicating with people. Is it possible to have surgery in this case?

Good day! Yes, I work with similar defects. The technique of the operation is quite simple. 7 days after the operation, your husband’s stitches will be removed, after which he will forget about his defect. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin!

Good afternoon In this case we are talking about reconstructive otoplasty. Please note that this operation is performed even on children, but from the age of 7, since it is during this period that we can consider the ear cartilage to be formed. Of course, the most difficult thing is to make the ears symmetrical, but this is where the surgeon’s experience is demonstrated. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin!