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ear surgery
Bat ears/ Prominent ears (Otoplasty and ear splinting)
Prominent ears are due to either unfolding of the antihelical
fold, a deep conchal bowl or both.
The very best treatment is splinting of the ears within the first
few weeks of life!
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Whilst there are circulating maternal hormones,
auricular cartilage remains malleable.
This technique may be applied to all types of deformational
ear deformity and in many cases obviates the need for surgery
at a later stage.
It is not applicable to ear malformations.
There is a narrow window of opportunity and treatment must
be commenced before 6 weeks of age.
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There are many techniques for Otoplasty (bat ear correction). It
can be performed any time after age 3 and I prefer to wait until
it becomes an issue for the child. There is no upper age limit although
the cartilage is firmer in an adult and more difficult to manipulate.
French Otoplasty Technique
The technique I use varies from the commonly practiced
Chonchet technique. It still involves an incision behind the ear
but there is no dissection of cartilage in front of the ear. Advantages
include;
- A gently curved antihelical fold rather than a straight fold
seen in some “pinned ears”
- No cartilage incisions or overlapping cartilage (noticeable
as swelling settles)
- No head bandage. The ears are “superglued” into
place for 1 week
- avoidance of “telephone ear” deformity
- less bruising and swelling at the front of the ear
In older children this can be performed under local anaesthetic.
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like to be sent information about prominent ear correction >>
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