When is the final result after otoplasty visible? Otoplasty. Recovery period. Complications after otoplasty, adverse effects of surgery

The duration of wearing the bandage is determined by the plastic surgeon. On average, after surgery on the auricles, it is necessary to wear a bandage for 7-14 days. In this case, the risks of complications after otoplasty with a surgical scalpel or laser are minimized.

In the early recovery period, it is important to treat wounds and stitches after otoplasty. For this, antiseptic dressings should be used, as well as disinfectants, for example, chlorhexidine. To heal tissues and speed up the restoration of the auricles, special ointments should be used, for example, levomekol.

Rehabilitation after otoplasty: late recovery period

If you have undergone otoplasty - how long does the rehabilitation after surgery last - a question that, of course, should be of interest to you as a patient. Indeed, in the postoperative period, one should strictly follow the recommendations of a plastic surgeon who performed an aesthetic correction of the auricles in case of deformation of the cartilage or earlobe.

The late recovery period after a complex surgical intervention on the ears ends 30 days after the plastic surgery. After surgical correction of the ears, it is important to ensure the speed of tissue repair so that the complete healing of cosmetic sutures occurs.

• Diet. To stimulate the immune system and the process of tissue healing, you should eat foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals.
• Rejection of bad habits. Smoking and alcohol consumption interfere with the rapid healing of tissues, which can increase the rehabilitation period after surgical intervention on the auricles.
• Limitation of physical activity. Sports and heavy housework should be limited to avoid tissue displacement after otoplasty.
• Avoidance of sunlight. Ultraviolet is very dangerous because it impairs tissue regeneration. As a result, the rehabilitation process after laser or reconstructive plastic surgery of the auricles and earlobes can take up to 2 months.
• Be careful when washing your hair. It is very important that after surgery, shampoos, gels and other cosmetics do not get on the wounds and stitches on the auricles, as a chemical burn may occur.

Necessary medicines

With the help of an anesthetic, the wound healing process is less painful. Minor discomfort may be felt in the first three days after the surgical correction of the auricles. To speed up rehabilitation after plastic surgery, the patient is prescribed:

• non-narcotic analgesics in the form of tablets;
• broad-spectrum antibiotics for prophylactic purposes;
• external medicines in the form of ointments, creams or gels.

All medicines are selected by a plastic surgeon, based on the characteristics of the patient, his history and the presence of allergic reactions. A course of antibiotics can range from five days to one week. The prescribed remedies act in a complex manner and contribute to faster recovery of the skin around the auricle, protecting it from inflammatory processes.

How can bruises be dealt with quickly?

Like any surgical intervention, during laser and reconstructive otoplasty, a plastic surgeon damages the skin, so bruising and postoperative swelling on the face are inevitable. To reduce the rehabilitation period after surgery will allow the use of a compression bandage and timely drug treatment. By following the medical recommendations given by the plastic surgeon, it will be possible to get rid of bruises within a week after the operation. To remove postoperative edema, the patient should exclude salty and spicy dishes from the diet, which prevent the release of excess moisture from the body.

After reconstructive or aesthetic plastic surgery of the ears and removal of surgical sutures, the patient should try to disturb the wound as little as possible and follow some rules before going to bed. One of the main requirements for the recovery period after surgery may be sleeping on your back in a compression bandage. At the same time, the head should not be washed for at least a week until the plastic surgeon removes the stitches.

To prevent bleeding after laser or reconstructive otoplasty of the auricles, the patient should avoid physical activity that provokes an increase in pressure. You should forget about accessories in the form of glasses and earrings until the skin is completely restored. Such caution after surgery is necessary to reduce the risk of tissue infection and prevent inflammatory processes that can provoke the appearance of scars and coarse keloid scars in the suture area after laser otoplasty or surgery with a surgical scalpel.

The completion of the rehabilitation process completely stops a few months after the end of the operation. Sensitivity returns, the wound site stops hurting after two months. It is worth remembering that the operation of otoplasty does not affect hearing in any way.

Recovery after otoplasty surgery by day takes place for each patient individually. Photos of patients published on our website in the “Otoplasty” section will allow you to evaluate the result of the aesthetic correction of the auricles.

The information on the site has been personally verified by plastic surgeon Osin Maxim Aleksandrovich, if you have any additional questions, please call the phone number listed on the site.

In the period from five to 14 years, when cartilage tissues tend to recover quickly. The result of such an operation largely depends on the proper care of the ears after it.

Recovery period after otoplasty

To ensure quick healing of the ears and speed up the recovery period, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's recommendations. It should take care of the ears for 10 days, and constantly, then you can.

The healing of incised tissues proceeds differently for everyone, but in order not to injure the stitches, it is necessary to exclude sports loads and vigorous activity, which can increase blood pressure, and as a result cause swelling of the operated sites. After 14 days, sports fans can resume their activities, but with some caution.

To determine for yourself what is possible and what should be avoided in the postoperative period, you need to know what is considered the norm, and for what deviations you need to see a doctor.

If in the first two days a person is worried about pain, then this is considered normal, after this time they pass by themselves.

How is recovery after surgery

It consists of several stages, as evidenced by:

1. destruction– during the operation, tissues and cells are damaged at the incision site, they do not immediately heal.
2. Exudation- with it it develops, which almost always happens after their damage due to the flow of the liquid component of the blood into the intercellular space.
3. Proliferation- the stage is characterized by cell division, and this process proceeds at an accelerated pace, which helps to restore tissues. At this time, a primary scar is formed from the connective tissue.
4. resorption- the final stage, after which the scar subsides a little and becomes less pronounced. Connective tissue cells are replaced by their epithelial counterparts.

All the above stages of the rehabilitation period follow each other in exactly this sequence and contribute to the healing of surgical incisions.

The recovery period is associated with the wearing of a special bandage, which not only protects the operated ears from injuries, but also contributes to the correct fixation of the resulting shape of the ears for many years. When a person sleeps, the bandage protects the still not fully formed scar from injury and keeps the weak cartilage in the correct position. As such a bandage, you can use not only products specially designed for otoplasty, but its textile variety, some use wide tennis tapes. The bandage is also entrusted with protection against infection and displacement of cartilage tissue. To strictly adhere to the recommendations after such an operation, the dressing should be changed daily, while using solutions in the form of chlorhexidine, furacilin or hydrogen peroxide.

In addition to wearing a bandage, you should know a few more nuances:

• you can accelerate the healing of wounds with a cream -;
• tight bandaging is used to prevent the opening of bleeding immediately after surgery;
• with severe pain, which often manifests itself after extensive surgery, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are used (or);
• to reduce swelling, special tight bandages are used, but they are allowed to be applied only by a surgeon.

The video below will tell about rehabilitation after the operation:

Ear Care

It is necessary to direct all your actions to warning the ears from the influence of negative factors on them. The following recommendations will be required:

• Introduction to the diet during the rehabilitation period of easily digestible foods high in protein and fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meats are required.
• Limit physical activity, eating junk food, and drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Try to stay in comfortable conditions, at a temperature not higher than 25 degrees and not lower than 18. Until the seams are completely healed, exclude trips to baths and saunas, and also avoid.
• Hair washing is allowed only after 3 days without shampoo, but only with warm water, then only baby detergent can be used.
• Those who wear glasses need to worry about lenses in advance, as glasses will not be worn for at least two months until the ears are completely healed.

Removal of stitches

• If a silk thread was used during the operation, then it will need to be removed in a medical setting after five days or a week.
• But when using catgut, the sutures dissolve themselves.

The doctor will be able to evaluate the results of his work only six months later, if necessary, he will recommend the use of some hardware cosmetic techniques. The rehabilitation period is relatively easy, therefore, preparing for such an operation, it is necessary to allocate a week of your vacation for it. After that, it will become possible to constantly admire the beautiful shape of the ears.

Sensitivity in the ear area after otoplasty will be restored gradually, and a little discomfort will appear, you will want to comb the wounds, but this should not be done.

Otoplasty is a type of surgical intervention on the soft tissues and cartilages of the auricle, which is used to correct protruding ears and eliminate deformities and defects of the auricle.

Types of otoplasty

1. Aesthetic otoplasty: the operation is performed to give the auricle a more aesthetic appearance.
2. Reconstructive otoplasty: used to restore individual missing areas or the entire auricle.

Indications for surgery

Contraindications for surgery

• acute infectious diseases;
• oncological diseases;
• blood clotting disorder;
• diabetes;
• chronic inflammatory diseases of the outer and middle ear;
• in some clinics, the operation is not taken during menstruation.

Required tests

• general blood test, general urinalysis;
• biochemical blood test, coagulogram;
• blood test for markers of viral hepatitis, HIV, syphilis;
• electrocardiogram, fluorography.

Video: Ear surgery

Operation methods

To date, there are about 170 different types of surgery on the outer ear. This is due to a large number of structural features of the auricle and the need to preserve the individual structural features of the outer ear after surgery.

In each specific case, the surgeon selects the optimal method of performing the operation, taking into account the existing anatomical defect or deficiency and the expected result.

The only thing you need to decide is the method of making incisions during the operation. They can be performed with a scalpel or laser. A number of operating doctors insist that the use of a laser has its advantages:

• postoperative scars are less pronounced and may be absent altogether;
• healing after surgery is faster.

It is possible that they are right, but much here depends on the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

How is the operation

First of all, anesthesia is performed. For children, the operation is performed under general anesthesia, for adults, the operation area is anesthetized locally, in much the same way as teeth are anesthetized in dental practice.

Then an incision is made with a scalpel or laser, excess skin and ear cartilage are excised, and a new position and size of the auricle is formed. The surgical wound is sutured with conventional or absorbable threads.
A special bandage is applied to the operated ear. A compression bandage after otoplasty must be worn for several days so that the new position of the auricle is maintained during the healing process.

Video: Otoplasty, ear surgery

Rehabilitation and recovery

In most cases, surgery and wearing a compression bandage, which is changed once every 2-3 days, is quite enough. Some patients need to undergo additional corrective procedures prescribed by the doctor to achieve the optimal result. As a rule, the doctor informs the patient about the need for such procedures at the consultation stage before the operation.

Sutures after otoplasty are removed 8-10 days after surgery, if self-absorbable suture material has not been used. All this time it is impossible to wet the postoperative wound. For 2-3 weeks after surgery, it is recommended to limit physical activity.

Did you know that frenulum surgery is a transverse incision and subsequent longitudinal suturing? Read more in the article. What is blepharoplasty? Why is she dangerous? Which celebrity did blepharoplasty? How is the operation carried out and how long does it take? You will find answers to these and other questions in this article.

Complications after otoplasty, adverse effects of surgery

• suppuration of the postoperative wound, divergence of the edges of the wound; The photo shows a fragment of the ear, where the seams on the cartilage have parted and an area filled with only skin has formed.

• the formation of pronounced scars, including keloids;

• bleeding from the surgical wound;
• the development of severe edema and extensive hematoma, which may require additional drainage;
• development of diffuse external purulent bacterial or fungal otitis;

• in the long-term period of the operation, the germination of the operated cartilage by vessels is possible with gradual resorption of the cartilage and secondary deformation of the auricle;

• noticeable traces of surgery on the outer surface of the ear.

Prices

The price of otoplasty largely depends on the type of anesthesia used. Local anesthesia is much cheaper than general anesthesia. In addition, in some cases, after an operation performed under anesthesia, the patient will have to stay in the clinic for several days under the supervision of medical staff, which will also affect the cost of treatment. Prices for otoplasty in Moscow and St. Petersburg may differ upwards, since it is often in large cities that advanced methods of anesthesia and operation are used, which require additional costs both for the necessary materials and equipment, and for training specialists.

Prices for otoplasty in Moscow at the DeltaClinic plastic surgery clinic.

Prices for otoplasty in St. Petersburg

Frequently asked Questions

How long to wear a bandage? The duration of wearing the bandage is determined individually in each case and depends on the speed of healing of the surgical wound. Usually the period of wearing ranges from 1 to 3 weeks. At what age can otoplasty be done? Usually, otoplasty is not done until the baby is six months old. Before this period, the auricle is being formed, therefore, if there is a slight deformation, then the elimination of protruding ears is carried out without surgery, by fixing the auricle in the correct position. If fixation was not carried out before the six-month period and the cartilage of the ear was fixed in the wrong position, then it is better to perform the operation before the child reaches the age of 6 years in order to avoid the formation of complexes about their own appearance. What is the best way to do otoplasty, laser or scalpel? The choice is yours and your surgeon's. In any case, the incision is made along the back of the auricle and will be securely hidden in the skin fold. Is free otoplasty possible? Possible. But such an operation, as a rule, is carried out only for medical reasons. Can protruding ears be corrected with surgery? Can. Prominent ear correction is the most common indication for otoplasty. How is otoplasty done? There is no single method of operation common to all cases of otoplasty. Therefore, for each patient, the surgeon chooses his own method of performing the operation, based on the needs of the patient and his own capabilities. Is revision otoplasty possible? Repeated otoplasty is quite possible if the patient did not get the desired result after the first operation. Is re-otoplasty more expensive? The cost of the operation in this case will depend on the indications for repeated otoplasty. If this is the elimination of a small asymmetry, then the operation is unlikely to be more expensive for you. If you need to eliminate keloid scars, secondary deformity of the auricle, etc., then the operation can cost much more. Therefore, you can find out the exact price for repeated otoplasty only during a personal consultation. How long does it take for revision otoplasty? The term is determined by the operating doctor during a face-to-face consultation. In some cases, repeated surgery on the auricle is not performed due to the development of gross tissue deformation and the unpredictability of the effect of repeated otoplasty. What are the possible side effects of the operation? Most often, after the operation, there are complaints of slight soreness and swelling of the tissues in the immediate vicinity of the surgical wound. It is not dangerous and resolves within 1-2 weeks without treatment. How is the postoperative period of otoplasty? If you follow all the recommendations of the doctor and arrive on time for dressings, then the postoperative period passes without any problems. The only restrictions are not to engage in heavy physical labor and sports for 2-3 weeks and not to wet the postoperative wound until the stitches are removed. How long after surgery do the ears hurt? The pain usually goes away within a week or two.

What is otoplasty? Literally meaning "ear reshaping", the procedure is the reconstruction or correction of the shape and size of the ears through surgery. Simply put, this operation is indicated for 5% of the population with abnormally protruding ears.

Varieties of the operation

The most common and long-standing way to rid a person of protruding ears is scalpel otoplasty ears. This method is not very revered among patients: scars remain after surgical intervention, the process itself takes more than 2 hours, and rehabilitation is quite long.

A modern alternative to the scalpel - laser otoplasty. During the operation, specialists make incisions using a laser beam. Among the obvious advantages of medical manipulation: the shortest period of rehabilitation and the absence of postoperative scars.

Laser otoplasty is gradually losing ground, giving way to an innovative method - radio wave operation. Doctors, armed with radio waves, painlessly deprive the patient of the complex. And a person recovers after such a procedure no more than three weeks.

The rehabilitation period after the “ear correction”, regardless of the type of operation performed, is divided into early and late. We will discuss each of them in more detail below.

Features of the early postoperative period

Before and after otoplasty

Otoplasty of the ears is a type of surgical intervention, the implementation of which entails a violation of the integrity of soft tissues and cartilage to varying degrees. Hence the evidence of such unpleasant symptoms as pain, swelling and bruising. The severity of these signs depends on the course of the procedure, the characteristics of the patient's body and compliance with medical recommendations. The duration of early rehabilitation varies from 7 to 10 days.

More about the main thing: pain, swelling and bruising

Mild, even minor pain is considered a normal postoperative symptom. In the case of low pain syndrome, the patient is shown taking analgesics. This can also be attributed to the increased sensitivity of the auricles - this symptom disappears after a couple of days.

Swelling and bruising do not leave the patient for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Most often they resolve on their own, in rare cases, surgical drainage is required. A slight increase in temperature in the first days after the procedure is also considered normal.

What you need to know about compression bandage?

The postoperative bandage fixes the auricles in the correct position and prevents them from moving until the tissues begin to heal. Among other important functions performed by the bandage:

• protection of the ears from possible injuries;
• prevention of the spread of swelling and hematomas formed in the area of ​​surgical intervention.

What is an attribute? This is a regular or elastic bandage, made in the form of a ring, which is worn on the head. You can replace it with a special bandage, it is very comfortable to wear in the postoperative period. Feature of a product - the universal size due to the available fastener (adhesive tape).

The duration of wearing a bandage (bandage) is 1-2 weeks. It is possible to remove a medical attribute only as directed by a doctor.

After the procedure, the patient is waiting for at least 2 dressings:

1. A day later. In the process, the condition of the ear is assessed.
2. On the 8th day. During the dressing, the doctors remove the stitches.

After the examination, the specialist evaluates the result, gives additional recommendations.

Used medications

When dressing, tampons soaked in an antiseptic are placed on the suture area. To speed up wound healing, the doctor may prescribe some healing ointments, creams, gels. The most common option is Levosin ointment.

In the case of a pronounced pain syndrome, the patient is shown taking painkillers. They are usually given by injection.

It's important to know! The appointment of any drugs during the recovery period, especially if otoplasty was performed on a child, is carried out only under the supervision of a specialist.

For ease of perception, we will list the main postoperative recommendations of doctors in the table:

Features of the late postoperative period

The main task of this period of time is to provide conditions for the speedy healing of the operated tissues. The period ends after 30 days. It includes a list of recommendations regarding lifestyle, nutrition, following which you can count on a favorable result.

At this time, the patient may be disturbed by minor swelling, partial loss of sensitivity of the auricles, and discomfort in the area of ​​scars. These symptoms are normal and indicate the unwillingness of the ears to fully cope with the functions assigned to them.

Note! Pain in the late postoperative period is an uncharacteristic symptom. If this is the case, contact your doctor.

Diet

Nutrition during the recovery period of the body after surgery is characterized by the following features:

1. It should be varied in order to ensure that the required amount of vitamins, minerals and other components enter the patient's body.
2. Easily digestible foods should prevail in the patient's diet.
3. It is better to give preference to lean meat (rabbit, poultry, beef), cereals, vegetables and fruits.
4. Under the taboo for the patient are all spicy, fried, fatty, salty, smoked, spicy dishes.

Such nutrition, as well as the rejection of bad habits, will provide an excellent result of otoplasty and exclude possible complications.

Let's talk about the unpleasant: risks and complications

Any operation does not exclude risks and complications. Cosmetic surgery, be it laser otoplasty or any other operation, is usually resorted to by quite healthy people - hence the low percentage of complications.

Among the possible unpleasant manifestations in the recovery period, experts include:

• divergence of the edges of the wound;
• development of infection;
• ear tissue necrosis;
• massive hematomas.

Surgery such as otoplasty shortens some of the nerves in the ear, which can cause it to lose some of its sensation for up to 12 months.

The ear cartilage boasts a "memory", under the influence of which the auricle is constantly trying to take its original position. Therefore, any operation may be unsuccessful - protruding ears will eventually return to the patient. In such cases, repeated otoplasty is performed.

Evaluation of results

7 days after the operation, specialists are able to evaluate the initial aesthetic improvement in the shape and position of the auricles. After the bandage is removed, the patient can immediately notice improvements. With a favorable scenario, the result progresses every day. This will continue for an average of 6 weeks. At this stage, the doctor may decide that an unsuccessful otoplasty was performed.

Doctors come to the final conclusion a year after the procedure. Most patients are satisfied with the result. However, the operated ears are almost always minimally different from each other - a slight asymmetry remains. This does not mean that repeated otoplasty is inevitable. The course of the procedure itself, or, most likely, the initial asymmetry of the auricles, can lead to this.

As you can see, the rehabilitation period after this kind of cosmetic surgery plays a key role in ensuring the proper result and achieving a positive cosmetic effect. The lion's share of successful ear correction is hidden in the painstaking observance of the entire list of doctor's recommendations.

Otoplasty is a surgery to correct the ears. Such an operation lasts on average no more than an hour and it is not considered too complicated. It would seem that you need to find a specialist and everything will be successful. But not everything is so simple. The final result after the correction will depend on the skill of the surgeon, as well as the method chosen by him. No matter how well otoplasty is performed, rehabilitation after the operation will consolidate the achieved result. Therefore, the role of the recovery period cannot be underestimated.

Rehabilitation. The first days and hours after otoplasty.

Ear plasty is usually performed under local anesthesia, so three hours of postoperative medical observation will be enough for the patient. If general anesthesia was used, then the person should stay in the blade for about a day. A special dressing is applied to the patient immediately after the surgical procedure. It is necessary in order to fix the ears pressed to the head, to prevent swelling after otoplasty and also protect the ears from mechanical damage. The first dressing is done to the patient the next day after the operation. For subsequent scheduled examinations and dressings, you need to go to the clinic every two to four days. The head is allowed to be washed after three to four days. After otoplasty, a person may feel pain. Such pain is relieved with the help of analgesics. Usually the doctor prescribes healing agents, and for the prevention of inflammation - a course of antibiotics. If the sutures were applied with absorbable material, then they do not need to be removed. Pain, swelling and bruising after otoplasty disappear completely in a week, sometimes a little longer. Everything will depend on the individual characteristics of the person. To prevent swelling, it is recommended to exclude spicy and salty foods from the diet for a while, as it retains water in the body and causes thirst.

The protective, fixing bandage will have to be left on for some time. In some cases, this period is three days, while in others it can last a week. In each situation, this time will be set by a specialist. But even after a month and a half, it is not recommended to sleep without an elastic bandage, since any awkward movements can injure the ears and affect the aesthetic result of the surgical correction. Even a successful otoplasty itself requires limiting physical activity. You can return to sports gradually, but not earlier than two months after the operation. Doctors should make sure that people know the simple rules and understand the importance of following them. Rapid rehabilitation and the final result of otoplasty is a common task for the patient and the doctor.