Otoplasty and its types. What is otoplasty - reviews and photos Elastic bandage after otoplasty

It is very difficult to find people who are satisfied and even pleased with their own appearance in all its aspects. Almost every person is dissatisfied with one or another flaw in their own appearance. Many people even think about using the services of a plastic surgeon to correct or change an annoying element of their appearance, and soon visit a surgeon.

protruding ears

Otoplasty, or plastic surgery in the ear area - surgery that can reconstruct, adjust and improve form and the size human auricles. The operation lasts about an hour and is carried out under local anesthesia. Everything that is done before, during and after the intervention affects the success of the intervention.

After the otoplasty is completed, the patient is usually placed in a room where he will spend some time before going home. If the patient has such a desire, he can be placed in stationary conditions for the night. This may be necessary to monitor the patient and analyze his condition in order to avoid complications and give him further recommendations.

What to do immediately after surgery

Immediately after the intervention, the plastic surgeon applies a special bandages, which presses the auricles and protects them from mechanical damage. Among other things, this bandage holds cotton wool soaked in mineral oil - this helps to avoid swelling after surgery;

Various medications are used after otoplasty. funds, accelerating wound healing process healing. The ears are sealed over the stitches with a plaster that prevents various contaminants from entering the area of the operation. To protect the ears from mechanical damage and injury, you can wear a comfortable scarf;

During the first three days after the intervention, the patient may be disturbed uncomfortable sensations in the area of operation. Help relieve pain and discomfort analgesics and antibiotics, which need to be taken for about a week;

The first postoperative dressing is scheduled the next day after otoplasty. The second dressing is scheduled for 3-4 days after the operation. A week after the operation, you need to visit your doctor to remove the stitches.

As after any surgical intervention, postoperative complications appear after otoplasty. edema and bruises. They are not too noticeable, but it will take about 7 days for them to disappear. The duration of swelling depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. To reduce the duration of edema, limit yourself in consumption salty and acute food and also hot drinks. It is this diet that provokes the appearance of puffiness.

Ear bandage

Further rehabilitation after otoplasty

The effectiveness of the operation can be assessed almost immediately after its completion. The final results of otoplasty are evaluated after a couple of months, subject to the obligatory observance of all the necessary conditions for the rehabilitation postoperative period.

The bandage that protects the ears from any injury can be removed after three days, but the optimal period for wearing it is a week. The decision on the possibility of a quick removal of the bandage should be made based on the complexity of the surgical intervention;

Until the moment of complete wound healing, it is necessary to completely abandon washing the head;

The first time after the operation, it is necessary to sleep only on the back - this will save the patient from the risk of damage to the stitches and from pain in the area of the operation;

For 30 days after surgery, you must wear a special bandage or comfortable scarf at night, if your doctor does not mind such a change. This will remove the patient from damaging the surgical area with awkward movements of the head and hands;

In general, rehabilitation after otoplasty itself proceeds easily and without any problems, but provided that there are no complications. Whatever it was, you should limit your own physical activity and active life. Watch out for an increase in blood pressure, protect your ears from any injury;

Refuse to use glasses for a month and a half, they can be replaced with lenses;

Important points of rehabilitation after otoplasty

After plastic surgery for the correction of the auricles, for the purpose of rehabilitation, physiotherapy procedures inherent in the recovery period after any operation. This includes hardware cosmetology and all medical manipulations and therapies that help accelerate wound healing and avoid any complications.

There are some points waiting for the patient after otoplasty:

The skin of the patient's ears may lose sensitivity. Her return may be accompanied by incomprehensible sensations, similar to goosebumps, but you should not be afraid of this. Soon the sensitivity will return to normal, and you will feel as before;

Some patients are convinced that by opting for otoplasty, they may lose their hearing or severely impair it. This is not so, because the operation does not affect the inner parts of the ear;

Tune in to the fact that at first the ears will be disturbed by sensations that are normal under the condition of surgical intervention. However, everything uncomfortable sensations will soon disappear, and your ears will delight you all your life. And this despite the fact that all traces after the operation will be invisible to others.

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It is a surgical intervention in the physiological structure of the ears. This procedure is indicated to change the shape and size of the auricle. In addition, otoplasty enables many people to eliminate ear defects (post-traumatic, congenital).

Thanks to otoplasty, many patients of plastic surgeons have become much more beautiful. But is this type of surgery really safe? We will provide a detailed answer to this question in the article.

What are the consequences of otoplasty?

Unsuccessful otoplasty can be for certain reasons. Here are the most common factors:

physiological characteristics of the patient's tissues (age characteristics, genetic characteristics of the patient, the presence of an infectious pathology, chronic somatic pathology of the endocrine system, internal organs);
improper preparation for rehabilitation;
improper conduct of the rehabilitation period;
complications in the rehabilitation period;
unsuccessful surgical intervention (incorrect marking of incisions, incorrect choice of operating technique, insufficient qualification of the surgeon).

The performed otoplasty usually has several consequences, of which not all are liked by the patients of the plastic surgeon. As the consequences of otoplasty, we indicate:

Absolute correction of the auricle (its shape). It is this consequence of the operation that satisfies all the needs of the patient (cosmetic, functional). The result obtained becomes long-term. In other words, the otoplasty was successful.
Achieving a cosmetic result, in which there is a slight functional impairment (possibly hearing loss).
Not a long term result. In this case, after the procedure, the patient received the desired result - a change in the shape of the ears, stabilization of the function of the auricle. But this effect did not last long and everything returned to the original result (the shape, functionality of the ears).
Achieving a good functional result, but with it there is a lack of cosmetic effect.
Asymmetry of the ears. Doctors consider this consequence of otoplasty to be very frequent. It indicates an unsuccessful operation on two auricles.
The education of the rough. It provokes a significant deformation of the auricles, disrupts their functionality. A keloid scar may occur due to a purulent complication of the operation, improperly performed plastic surgery, and the physiological characteristics of the tissues.

A specialist will tell you more about the consequences and complications after plastic surgery in the video below:

Complications after surgery

Doctors recommend that patients carefully prepare for the upcoming operation and, of course, they themselves observe all the rules of sterility. But despite such a professional approach to the procedure, there may be certain complications.

Let us briefly describe the most common types of complications that may occur during the operation, during the rehabilitation period:

The formation of keloid scars. The appearance of a rough scar can be triggered by features of the type of dermis, some other nuances. To prevent the formation of such scars, it is enough to carry out elementary preventive measures. They consist in treating the area that has undergone otoplasty with a special solution.
. It can occur in a patient on the medications used. Such complications are very rare.
wound infection. Due to infection of the wound during the surgical intervention, it may develop. Such a complication is a consequence of non-compliance with the conditions of antisepsis (improper dressing of the wound), asepsis (treatment to prevent the penetration of bacteria into the wound).
Hematomas. They are a limited swelling filled with blood. A hematoma can change the shape of the auricle.
Bleeding. They are possible when the walls of blood vessels are injured, blood comes out into the surrounding tissues. After them, hematomas form.
. It brings a lot of inconvenience, especially if.
Throbbing pain.
Numb feeling.
. The tissues of the auricle can swell due to the release of a large amount of plasma, the accumulation of interstitial fluid.
Asymmetry of the ears.
failure of surgical sutures. With this complication, the suture material cuts through the tissues, the edges of the wound diverge. These processes contribute to a change in the shape of the auricle.

If any of the above complications are found, it is necessary to take a number of measures to eliminate them. All measures are aimed at preventing severe deformation of the auricles.

Hematoma

A hematoma is formed after bleeding into the tissues. It is a limited swelling, inside which blood has accumulated from the injured vessel. Due to the hematoma, the shape of the auricle changes (the accumulation of blood under the dermis strongly presses on the ear cartilage), the tissue healing process is disrupted. The presence of a hematoma may indicate bleeding from the wound, pain (bursting, throbbing), swelling.

This complication must be removed by opening the wound. Then you need to stop the bleeding, wash the wound surface with a special solution of antibiotics. after these procedures.

You can remove the hematoma through suction, the appointment of hemostatic, anti-inflammatory drugs.

blisters on the ear

Approximately on the third day after otoplasty, they can form. The dermis at the surgical site may blister.

No special therapy is needed. The blisters usually go away on their own within a few days.

Maceration

It presents an unpleasant picture. The tissues of the dermis of the ear are impregnated with liquids. The cause of maceration can be a very strong bandage, malnutrition of the epidermis.

To eliminate maceration, it is necessary to treat the epithelium with specific medications, reapply a bandage. The skin should return to normal after a week.

Scars and scars

Due to the incorrect imposition of postoperative sutures, which manifests itself in the tension of the threads, the predisposition of the patient's tissues to the formation of hypertrophied, keloid scars, very rough scars can form.

Most often, these scars are removed surgically. If they are small. The doctor can carry out its elimination by a conservative method.

Including about the complications after the operation, this video will tell:

Pus

Behind the ear indicates the development of an infection. The patient learns about the presence of an infection as early as 3-4 days after otoplasty. In addition to pus, the patient is worried about pain in the ear area.

The discharge of pus is dangerous for the development of purulent chondritis,. To eliminate infection. Provoking the release of pus, antibiotics are needed.

pain

Pain syndrome may occur. It can be provoked by too tight bandage, inflammation, hematoma.

Pain also appears during the regeneration of the sensitivity of the fibers of the ear nerve. The pain will pass if the postoperative dressing is applied correctly, inflammation and hematoma are eliminated.

Blood

After otoplasty, bleeding is dangerous with the formation of a hematoma. A hematoma can change the shape of the ear, worsen the course of tissue regeneration. The bleeding must be stopped.

To do this, a turunda with hemostatic ointments is injected into the ear, hemostatic medications (Vikasol) are prescribed. If a hematoma appears, it is opened, treated, and a bandage is applied.

Itchy ears

Ears itch when wearing a bandage. This is a normal reaction to healing. No action should be taken.

bump

After surgery, bumps may form behind the ear. These formations must be removed surgically.

Edema

Edema after the operation is dangerous due to the divergence of postoperative sutures, deformation of the auricle. Puffiness appears after almost any surgical intervention. It passes on its own after a while (from a month to two).

Temperature

After the operation, the ears become hard, hot. There is an increase in temperature in this area. It will pass with time.

Ears stuck out

Protrusion of the auricles is often observed after reconstructive ear surgery. The reason for this complication lies in the insufficient qualification of the plastic surgeon, the physiological characteristics of the tissues.

In some cases, patients themselves are to blame for protruding ears after the operation. Non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations, removal of the dressing in advance, pressure on the ear in the first days after otoplasty, can provoke deformation of the auricle. To eliminate this complication of the operation, it is necessary to repeat otoplasty by a professional.

Other common complications

After, carried out in order to eliminate, the ears (both or one) can protrude again. Experts say that these are the features of fabrics. Doctors recommend a second operation.

Sometimes there are divergences of the seams. In this case, the main thing is to notify the operating surgeon in a timely manner so that he takes the necessary measures. Correction for seam divergence is done immediately after the discovery of this problem. Successful correction does not require repeated otoplasty.
There may also be loss of sensation. This complication is considered quite common and resolves on its own after some time.
Infection is considered a very common postoperative complication. The patient learns about its presence on the 3rd - 4th day after the operation due to pain in the ear area, pus.
If an allergy occurs, a specialist should prescribe an antihistamine medication.
Sometimes, after the rehabilitation period, the patient notices the asymmetry of the ears. Slight asymmetry is considered normal. If the difference between the auricles is significant, you need to re-otoplasty.
In some cases, there is a distortion of the operated ear. Such a complication is observed in the elimination of lop-earedness. The skew is represented by cartilage deformation, ear tugging. The reasons that provoked the distortion of the ear are: eruption, loosening of the sutures, incorrect operation, incorrect diagnosis. Additional surgery is required to eliminate this complication.

The girl will tell about her feelings after otoplasty:

Otoplasty is the restoration of the auricle after an injury or due to congenital pathology. Restoration involves the correction of a deformed shape. Sometimes the operation is performed only out of an individual desire to change the shape of the ears. Otoplasty includes surgery and a period of rehabilitation.

The operation to restore the shape of the ears is not considered difficult, does not last long and does not require long-term hospitalization of the patient. Rehabilitation after otoplasty involves a set of measures and norms of behavior of the operated person himself. The measures and time of postoperative rehabilitation differ from other types of plastic surgery.

Features of rehabilitation and its duration

The result of surgical intervention to change the shape of the ear depends not only on the technique of the surgical operation, but also on the exact observance of the rules of postoperative rehabilitation. Rehabilitation is a phased physiological process, resulting in a complete restoration of the ear tissues.

The stages of the presented kind of rehabilitation include:

Alteration- has the second name "destruction". The period includes the destruction of cells and tissues at the site of the surgical incision.
Exudation- the stage of formation of tissue edema, which occurs due to destruction in the previous period. In the resulting intercellular space, fluid is released.
Proliferation- the beginning of cell division and tissue regeneration. First of all, connective tissue cells are replaced, which later form a scar.
resorption- the last stage - there is a decrease in the severity of the connective scar, later it is replaced by epithelial cells.

The presented periods follow each other in turn, contributing to the restoration of damaged areas due to otoplasty. Rehabilitation lasts until the complete resorption of the scar - about six weeks.

The performed otoplasty, the rehabilitation period after which is aimed at reducing postoperative discomfort, eliminating complications, stimulating rapid tissue regeneration and improving the aesthetic result of plastic surgery, makes it possible to correct a mistake of nature or restore the shape of the ears after an injury.

Rehabilitation in the early postoperative period

Otoplasty is considered the safest operation among all plastic corrections. Already on the second day after it, if there are no complications, the patient goes home and only goes for dressings every 2-3 days.

He is given a sick leave and prescribed bed rest, which excludes all physical activity. Only after two weeks you can go to work, but you can not engage in physical labor and sports.

Recovery after changing the shape of the ears is divided into two periods: early and late. Each of them is characterized by its activities aimed at eliminating the consequences after the operation. In the early period after the operation, everything is aimed at the following activities:

Preventive actions against infection of the surgical incision - aseptic dressings are used. Among other things, they protect against mechanical impact and subsequent displacement of ear tissues. Procedures with the inclusion of dressings are done once a day with a change of dressing soaked in an antiseptic. Antiseptics include Furacilin or hydrogen peroxide.
elimination painful syndrome - painkillers are used (nimesil, ketanov).
elimination puffiness- Compression bandages are used for this. They are applied by the surgeon to avoid tissue displacement. The bandage is superimposed on the ears, pressing them tightly to the head.
Prevention of occurrence bleeding- they may appear as a result of vascular damage that occurred during the operation. For their cupping, gauze napkins are used and tight bandaging is performed.
Acceleration regeneration tissues - during the dressing, an ointment is applied to the seam that improves cell regeneration (Levomekol).
Withdrawal seams- occurs if the wound was sutured with silk threads. This happens 5-7 days after the defect is eliminated. If catgut was used to suture the wound, then it resolves itself.

This period lasts 7-10 days, and it is during it, if these measures are not followed, bleeding may occur, the sutures may open or cut, and purulent inflammation of the wound may develop. You can avoid such complications if you strictly follow all the recommendations of specialists.

Rehabilitation in the late postoperative period

The postoperative period following the early period involves the implementation of measures and recommendations that help reduce the negative impact of the external environment on the ears and stimulate the healing process.

Compliance diet, aimed at eating foods with a lot of protein and vitamins. Here you can highlight lean meat and easily digestible vegetables.
Volume reduction harmful food, including smoked meats, fatty and spicy foods.
Rejection alcohol and other bad habits, as they are considered toxic and interfere with cell renewal and scar resorption.
Complete ban on certain species sports and actions, as well as partial limitation of physical activity - this is necessary to prevent tissue displacement and postoperative suture opening.
Maintaining optimal indoor temperature mode - favorable for a good regeneration process, so that it goes faster. To such an optimal temperature include 18-20 degrees Celsius. Limiting visits to the bath and sauna, since high temperature and high humidity contribute to the divergence of the edges of the postoperative wound.
Avoid exposure ultraviolet rays, because solar radiation contributes to the denaturation of proteins, which gradually leads to poor healing of the postoperative suture.
the washing up heads should be carried out with extreme caution, avoiding the ingress of detergents on the wound, so that there is no chemical irritation of the epithelial cells at the site of the resulting scar.

This rehabilitation period lasts one month, it is worth following all the proposed recommendations.

During the rehabilitation period, attention should be paid to some of the subtleties of its course, which affect the quality of scar healing and the effectiveness of the entire operation.

These subtleties include:

Bleeding- occur due to damage to a large vessel during the implementation of rehabilitation procedures, are often observed at the beginning of the entire postoperative period. To prevent it from happening, tight bandages are made. Sometimes at the same time, napkins impregnated with hemostatic are used, which contribute to the formation of a blood clot and stop the bleeding.
Bandage- is made from a characteristic cotton-gauze napkin. The blank is placed on the operated ear. Such a bandage protects against mechanical trauma to the wound and infection, and gives shape to the auricle. The bandage is fixed with a special mesh bandage, in the form of a stocking or adhesive plaster.
hygiene head - within 3 days after the operation, this procedure is not allowed at all, up to 10 days you should wash your hair with warm water without the use of detergents. Until the end of the rehabilitation period, it is allowed to wash your hair using baby shampoo, they do not irritate the skin.

This will avoid complications that occur in the early postoperative period. In addition, the skin of the ears may lose sensitivity, but you should not be afraid of this - everything will return to normal very quickly.

The return of sensation is accompanied by "goosebumps" - this is a rather unpleasant, but not painful sensation that does not last long. Patients' fears of hearing loss or reduction after otoplasty are unjustified.

The operation does not affect the inside of the ears. Often, after surgery, bruises appear on the face - this is natural, since not only the tissues of the ear, but also neighboring tissues are affected. You should not be afraid of them, because within two weeks all bruises and swelling will disappear, there will be no trace of them.

Ointments, preparations and compression bandage

Usually complications after otoplasty occur in the early postoperative period. These include pain, swelling and bruising. Doctors apply all measures to eliminate these manifestations, which depends more on the person being operated on, his compliance with all the advice of specialists and the individual characteristics of his body.

Prevention of complications begins immediately after the end of the operation and consists in the fact that a postoperative compression bandage is put on the head. It tightly covers the circumference of the head and fixes the auricles. The cosmetic effect of the operation depends on the correct application and application of this bandage.

The bandage keeps the auricles in the correct position until the wound heals, preventing the tissues from moving. In addition, it protects against bruises during sleep and at home, and also prevents the spread of edema and hematoma that form at the site of the surgical suture.

A compression bandage is made from a simple or elastic bandage. But modern manufacturers have developed a special bandage - it looks like a tennis player's bandage, but has an adhesive tape that can adjust the fastener and give the product any shape and any size. It is necessary to use a bandage or bandage from 7 to 14 days - the time depends on how the recovery period will go.

The first postoperative dressing is carried out in a day. This is done for the early diagnosis of hematomas. The napkin on the wound is changed to a new one, since the old one is saturated with blood by that time.

The napkin is lubricated with a wound healing ointment: erythromycin, gentamicin or tetracycline. The next dressing and examination is carried out for 3-4 days, and after 8 days the third dressing is done.

Then the ends of the absorbable thread already fall off or the sutures are removed if silk threads were used for the suture. It is allowed to wear a bandage only at night, so as not to accidentally tuck the auricle.

Pain after surgery is quite common - this is the most common complication after otoplasty. Severe pain near the ears in the first two days indicates a large bandage pressure on the ears or the formation of a hematoma. If severe pain appeared after a few days, then this indicates the presence of inflammation.

If the pain occurs intermittently, then this is due to the regeneration of the branches of the large ear nerve or other nerves that were cut during the operation. To save the patient from discomfort and pain, immediately after the operation, around the auricle is chipped with a solution of Marcain with Adrenaline.

The patient is prescribed medications to relieve pain and accelerate healing and tissue repair. For each patient, drugs are prescribed individually, based on the characteristics of the operation and the person being operated on, possible allergic reactions. To speed up recovery are assigned:

analgesics in tablets of non-narcotic action;
antibiotics wide spectrum of action;
external means in the form ointments, gels and creams.

Antibiotics apply 5-7 days. All drugs act in a complex and contribute to the rapid healing of sutures without inflammatory processes. Usually, the doctor prescribes Nimesulide or Ketanol to relieve pain - they are most effective in this case.

The homeopathic preparations "Arnica" and "Tromel" showed themselves well, both in the form of tablets and in the form of ointments. They must be used in the first two weeks to relieve swelling and eliminate bruising.

A week before surgery and two weeks after it, you should drink Askorutin to reduce fragility and vascular permeability. The period of rehabilitation and how long the ears heal after otoplasty will depend on the implementation of all recommendations and appointments.

Prohibitions

In order for the wound healing process after surgical intervention to proceed without complications, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations of a plastic surgeon. But in addition to the doctor's advice, there are a number of prohibitions, the observance of which guarantees the successful completion of the operation and the recovery process.

The following factors are strictly prohibited:

Smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Eating pickles, marinades, as well as fatty, spicy and spicy foods.
Practicing some kinds sports, which involve contact with an opponent and the possibility of injury to the ears (boxing, wrestling).
walking on beach or in a solarium, exposure to direct sunlight should be limited.
Application shampoos and other detergents for washing your hair, you can only use baby shampoo.
Withdrawal bandages, seams and peeling off the crusts from the scar yourself.

In addition, it is forbidden to wear glasses for two months. Women are not recommended to wear earrings and other jewelry on their ears.

The rehabilitation period to eliminate defects on the auricles does not last so long, so you need to be patient and endure all these inconveniences and discomforts in order to achieve the desired result from the operation without bad consequences.

Full recovery occurs only after six months, then all prohibitions are removed if the correction of the auricles was of high quality.

During the rehabilitation period after plastic surgery on the ears, it is important to follow the recommendations of doctors at all its stages. This will speed up wound healing and overall recovery after surgical repair. These suggestions include the following:

Need to use ointment to accelerate tissue regeneration with each dressing, applying it to the scar (Levomekol).
Do not use any detergents shampoos, except shampoos for children.
Protect with bandage ears from mechanical injury and from exposure to direct sunlight.
eat rich proteins and vitamins in food, do not smoke or drink alcohol.
If there is no bandage, wear mesh stocking, specially made for fixing the bandage on the head.
In order not to develop edema, you need to sleep with upbeat head.

Otoplasty is an operation that is performed at any age, but children can only do it after they reach 6 years of age. The recovery period for children, adults and the elderly will differ in duration and the possibility of complications.

Children tolerate surgery much easier than adults and elderly patients, because they have soft cartilage, and the sutures heal very quickly, subject to all the recommendations of doctors. In the elderly, metabolic processes are slower and they require the use of physiotherapy procedures to accelerate healing.

If the temperature rises after surgery in the first days, then taking antipyretic drugs is recommended only until it reaches 38 degrees, the rest of the indicators are considered normal. Painkillers are taken if there is pain, but not more than one every four hours.

If the pain lasts continuously and is felt in one place, then you need to see a doctor - this may indicate the development of inflammation. Sports and physical activity are allowed two months after the operation. It is impossible not only to warm the wound, but hypothermia is undesirable for it.

If otoplasty is performed, rehabilitation lasts at least 6 weeks, and only after that you can see the result of the correction of the auricles. Previously, it will become visible two weeks after the disappearance of bruises and swelling. By following exactly all the doctor's recommendations during the rehabilitation period, you can achieve an excellent result in eliminating the ear defect.

No less important after the operation called "otoplasty" is the postoperative period. The patient at this time should be especially careful and strictly follow the doctor's instructions. Otherwise, undesirable complications may develop.

Pain, swelling, hematoma formation is what often complicates otoplasty. The postoperative period for each patient is different and depends not only on the care of the wound, but also on the regenerative forces of the body, the state of the immune system.

In this article, we will consider the features of the recovery period after otoplasty, tell you how long the ears usually heal, the development of what consequences, except for edema, is possible.

Recovery after otoplasty

Recovery after otoplasty varies from patient to patient. On average, it takes about 30 days for cartilage to fully heal. Fast and effective recovery after otoplasty is possible only with strict adherence to the doctor's recommendations.

In the postoperative period, the patient is advised to avoid excessive physical activity, stress on the ears, in the first weeks should not be exposed to ultraviolet radiation. For two or three days after the operation, you also can not wash your hair.

Especially important in the postoperative period is the bandage. It should be worn for 5-7 days. Every 2-3 days the doctor makes a dressing. After removing the bandage, the patient is recommended to wear a special compression bandage at night (for 30 days), which will help fix the result of the operation and protect the ears from damage during sleep. How long to remove the sutures can only be determined by the attending physician, judging by the reviews, on about 7-14 days, the sutures are removed from most patients.

Antibiotics, which are prescribed for 5-7 days, will help speed up recovery after otoplasty and prevent infection. It is also advisable to use local agents (gels, ointments) with regenerating properties. It will provide quick recovery and healthy, good sleep, rest, rational, fortified nutrition.

How long does it take for ears to heal after otoplasty?

The most worrying question for patients is how long does it take for the ears to heal after otoplasty? The healing process is different for everyone - for everyone, how much: for some, healing is faster, for some, the process of recovery and elimination of consequences takes longer. It takes 7 to 14 weeks for a wound to heal at the incision site, and complete cartilage repair can take even a month or more. The final result of otoplasty is noticeable only after six months.

You can find out approximately how long the ears heal after otoplasty by reading the reviews of patients, or by the doctor who performed the operation and monitors the course of the postoperative period.

Possible consequences of otoplasty

Is otoplasty dangerous? Consequences, as with any other surgical intervention, are not excluded. The most common consequences of otoplasty, based on patient feedback, are pain, swelling, hematomas, and infection.

With the normal course of the postoperative period and proper wound care, these consequences of otoplasty (pain, swelling) disappear within two weeks. However, another outcome is also possible. Often, if the patient does not follow the recommendations of the doctor, an infection gets into the wound. This can lead to the development of perichondritis and purulent chondritis.

Hematoma is also a serious consequence of an operation called "otoplasty". The consequences can sometimes be dire. Hematoma, pressing on the tissues, leads to their atrophy, and then necrosis. Necrotic tissue is not viable and can be surgically removed.

Otoplasty: swelling and other complications

Complications are something that both patients and surgeons fear after any operation, and otoplasty is no exception. Complications after it are divided into early and late.

Otoplasty, complications in the early postoperative period

So, the most common early complications of such an operation as otoplasty:

Swelling - often decreases a few days after surgery. It can last from two weeks to one and a half months after otoplasty has been performed. Edema is the body's physiological response to tissue injury and should not be cause for concern unless it increases.
Decreased sensitivity - can be observed up to two months after surgery.
Pain - associated with tissue injury, often the most asked question is: "How long will it hurt." An unpleasant complication is observed no longer than three days and is stopped by painkillers.
Hematoma is a dangerous complication of otoplasty, as it can lead to tissue necrosis. In case of formation of a hematoma, it is opened, after which the wound is washed, the bandage is re-applied and a course of antibiotics is prescribed.
Attachment of infection - accompanied by pain, redness, purulent discharge from the wound. Eliminated with antibiotic therapy.
Allergy.
Maceration of the epithelium - occurs due to too tight bandage.

Otoplasty, complications in the late postoperative period

Late consequences include eruption of sutures, ear distortion, keloid scarring, and asymmetry of the ears.

So, the possible and most common complications can be after otoplasty surgery: swelling, pain and bruising. But the development of complications, how long the recovery and healing period lasts depends directly on the state of health and adherence to the regimen prescribed by the doctor.

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

Hello, sorry for the trouble, I did 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 going to, please tell me how not to wash it? Can you tilt your head over the tub? After all, slopes are not recommended. And yet, it is very difficult to wash your hair without wetting the seam, is it okay if they get wet? Thank you in advance for the answer, as it is not yet possible to contact the surgeon. And I just forgot to ask these questions before.

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

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

Interested in a fairly standard question. I have a serious job, almost no days off, but I'm planning to have an otoplasty because I'm not happy with my ear shape. How many days after that can I return to work, and how long will I have to wear a bandage? Sincerely, 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 it will be necessary to wear it at night. It is not advised to go to work for 7-14 days, depending on the patient's well-being. If you intend to leave the hospital, then you should limit physical labor and sports. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin.

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

Hello! Interested in the process of otoplasty. Is the cartilage removed, or are the ears just rolled up? And most importantly: they will not return to their previous state? Thanks for the info.

Good morning! There are different methods for performing this operation. Each doctor uses his own technique. I use the method without cartilage removal. Regarding the return back ̶ 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, as this is a fundamentally important issue for me. Thank you very much for your time. Sincerely.

Good afternoon, Arina. During the rehabilitation period, you will not be able to breastfeed. You will be able to continue breastfeeding within a week after ear surgery. 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 to the operation from another city. I need to understand how long everything will last in time. Olga. Petersburg.

Good afternoon, Olga. The auricular surgery itself can last from 40 minutes to an hour. But after the operation, 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. I remind you that for another 10 days after the operation, you should wear a special bandage. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin!

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

Tell me, will hearing change after otoplasty? Can he improve?

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

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

Hello! My name is Timur, I am 33 years old. In my youth, I pierced both my ears, but now I occupy a very prestigious position, so I had to take off my jewelry. Tell me, is it possible with the help of 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 after it there will be hardly noticeable linear scars. Might 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 birth defect - no earlobe. To be honest, I don’t really pay attention to this, but my husband is very worried. Of course, this creates certain difficulties for him in communicating with people. Whether it is possible to make operation 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 will have his stitches 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 for 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 auricles symmetrical, but this is where the experience of the surgeon manifests itself. Sincerely, plastic surgeon Maxim Osin!