After otoplasty - rehabilitation and ear care. How is the recovery period after otoplasty? Recommendations after otoplasty

Otoplasty is a correction of the shape of the auricles and their reconstruction, in order to correct congenital defects or defects obtained after a mechanical injury. Recovery after otoplasty involves care after surgery prescribed by the doctor: a bandage, refusal to wash your hair, the use of special ointments for the ears, and so on.

Rehabilitation after otoplasty

The result of otoplasty depends not only on the skills and professionalism of the surgeon performing the operation, but also on your following his instructions in the postoperative rehabilitation period, which is divided into two stages: early rehabilitation period and late.

Early rehabilitation period

In the early period (lasts 5-10 days), it is especially important to unquestioningly follow the doctor's recommendations, since it is especially important for the successful result of the operation, during this period the following should be done:

Late rehabilitation period

The late rehabilitation period can last up to 1-2 months, during this period you will have to follow the following instructions:

• follow a diet that includes a large amount of vitamins and protein (chicken and rabbit meat, vegetables, fruits);
• it is advisable to abandon the use of alcohol and nicotine for the entire period of rehabilitation, as these bad habits increase the risk of keloid scars;
• limitation of physical activity - you will have to give up sports and household household activities, as as a result you risk displacement of tissues at the site of surgery or divergence of postoperative scars;
• saving the body from hypothermia or overheating - low temperatures can cause inflammation, and high temperatures can cause scarring. So long walks along the winter streets will have to be abandoned, as well as visits to the sauna;
• avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight at the operation site, since the ultraviolet spectrum of the light wave leads to protein denaturation, which worsens the regenerative functions of tissues;
• when washing your hair, avoid getting soap, shampoos, gels and other cleaning products on the operation site, in order to avoid chemical irritation.

Many are interested in how long the result of otoplasty lasts? If you follow all the instructions correctly, then the result will remain with you for life.

Bandage

If you decide to have an operation such as otoplasty, the postoperative period should not come as a surprise to you, it is very important to have an idea of ​​what awaits you even before the operation: pain, refusal to shower in the first days, the need for dressings, and so on.

The postoperative dressing is the most important part of the early postoperative period, it is a cotton-gauze swab at the site of the operation, secured with a bandage or bandage, which can be bought at any pharmacy. In no case should the bandage be moved or attempted to be changed independently. If for some reason the bandage has changed position, you should urgently go to the hospital, where you will have it replaced. The bandage protects the postoperative scar from mechanical influences and infection. It should be changed periodically, making dressings in the hospital or inviting a nurse to the house.

Complications

If you do not fully follow the doctor's recommendations and prohibitions, you run the risk of such an unpleasant phenomenon as complications after otoplasty. The main ones are:

• maceration is the soaking of the ear tissues with liquids, which occurs due to too tight dressing. It is treated by changing the bandage and applying medications, and disappears within a week;
• hematoma - formed due to the accumulation of blood leaking from a vessel. Symptoms can be a sharp pain syndrome and frequent bleeding, a hematoma is treated by opening a wound and treating it with antibiotics;
• hypertrophied scar - usually appears due to the predisposition of the body to the appearance of keloid scars, but it may also be the result of a medical error.

How to choose a clinic and surgeon

Before deciding where to do ear plastic surgery, find reviews about the surgeon, analyze them. Compare the number of operated patients and the number of positive reviews, and only then decide on an operation with a particular doctor.

Ear correction surgery is the most desired by those suffering from lop-earedness. After the operation, it is important to follow all the recommendations of the surgeon so that there are no complications.

Rehabilitation after otoplasty

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

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 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 tightening bandage for another four days, but with the possibility of removing it for taking a shower and leaving the house.

Three days after removing the dressing and removing the tampons:

• Hair washing is allowed only 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 the ears and seams should not be touched if possible.
• You can use a hair dryer to dry your hair, but it is advisable to turn on cool or warm air.
• Twice a day, the sutures are treated with Chlorhexidine or Miramistin.

On the 7-10th day, another examination and removal of sutures is scheduled.. During this period, it makes no sense to expect the final results from the correction of protruding ears - there is still swelling on the cartilage, and the ears themselves are unnecessarily pressed to the head.

One month after otoplasty

After the first week after the operation on the ears, the bandage is put on the head only for the period of sleep and is worn for 2-3 weeks.

What to do after otoplasty

• It is advisable to sleep on your back after otoplasty. 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.
• Swimming pool visit, taking a bath, a bath, a hammam, a sauna are prohibited until the postoperative sutures are 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 permissible after a month or two after surgery, at this time it is advisable to switch to lenses.
• Hair coloring and haircuts are acceptable after the seams have healed. At the same time, it is important that the ears do not bend or pull 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 should be borne in mind that the seams are photosensitive to solar radiation, it is advisable to apply sunscreen and a hat.
• Alcohol first week, but better for a longer period, it is undesirable, as it affects the slowdown in healing and increases swelling in the ears.

Headphones inserted into the auricles and large top ones have no prohibitions.

• You can wear earrings from the third day, the only exception is heavy jewelry that pulls off the lobe and ear.
• Without the appointment of the attending physician, self-administration of vitamin-mineral complexes, as well as the use of local ointments, is undesirable.

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Complications after otoplasty

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

1. Bruising after otoplasty are a response to surgery. This complication resolves on its own in up to two weeks. This defect can be hidden with a hairstyle or with loose hair.
2. Swelling after otoplasty, also refers to the norm and resolves up to a month. Some swelling of the cartilage may be slightly present for up to three months.
3. How much do ears hurt after otoplasty? Soreness has an individual character - it begins to be felt immediately after the withdrawal of anesthesia. Pain after surgery on the ears is no more than a week and is relieved by 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.

The use of an elastic bandage instead of a bandage is not recommended.

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

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

The main function of the elastic headband after otoplasty is to protect the ears from mechanical damage and fix the new shape of the auricles. The bandage also fixes cotton swabs soaked in an oily solution (mainly petroleum jelly), which prevent infection and favorably promote the healing of sutures.

The elastic bandage is made of fabric material with the use of 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, a maximum of 14 days, and another month during sleep, so as not to damage the seams.

Attention

It is important to keep the bandage free of water. It is recommended to sleep on your back so as not to cause yourself discomfort and not disturb the healing seams. With the correct 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. In case of non-compliance with all recommendations for the post-operative period, the result may be zero.

The need for a bandage after otoplasty

After you have removed the bandage, during the recovery process, you must use the bandage after otoplasty. This should be done 3-4 days after the operation.

It is important to choose a bandage of the correct size in order to prevent strong squeezing of the head and disruption of the circulatory process.

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

Also wearing a bandage reduces swelling, and possible bruising.

In most cases, the bandage material is treated with a medical solution of silver, which allows you to save the operated site naturally 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 process of suture healing and maintaining normal blood circulation. When removing the bandage, the seams must be smeared with petroleum jelly to prevent infection from entering open wounds.

It is interesting

The bandage looks quite beautiful, outwardly resembling a sports headband, you can even choose the color of the headband - black or beige. The bandage is recommended to be worn around the clock for two weeks, and then put on at night for 2 months in order not to damage 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.

Usefulness of a compression bandage on the ears after otoplasty

An indispensable part of the recovery process after surgery is the use of a compression bandage, which can be bought 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 issued to the patient directly at the clinic.

For a proper rehabilitation process, the use of a bandage is essential. It is important to buy a bandage that fits your size so that it does not squeeze your head and thus does not interfere with the blood circulation of the brain.

Using a compression bandage after otoplasty

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

• fixing the correct position of the auricles throughout the entire recovery process;
• prevention of infection and inflammation of open wounds due to infection;
• reduction of bruising and swelling;
• protection of the operation site from injuries and mechanical impact.

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

In view of the fact that each person has his 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 classes you need to wear a bandage for six months.

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.

There are very few people in the world who are completely satisfied with their appearance, and they can rightfully be called lucky. But today, thanks to the active development of plastic surgery, almost any flaw in appearance can be corrected. One of the most popular surgeries is otoplasty. This is a surgical correction of the shape or size of the ear.

Otoplasty is not a complicated operation, has practically no side effects and contraindications, does not last long (up to an hour), does not require long-term hospitalization, as a rule, the patient can be discharged home on the same day. But a reconstructive operation is only the first step on the path to ideal ears, immediately after it begins an equally important period - rehabilitation after otoplasty, which affects not only the speed of recovery, but also the consequences of the operation.

Rehabilitation after otoplasty is a complex process that includes several options for restorative treatment and rules of conduct. Let's consider the most important of them.

Compression bandage

Perhaps, the consequences of otoplasty depend most of all on compliance with the recommendations of a plastic surgeon on wearing a special compression bandage. The latter is put on immediately after the operation over the aseptic one. Its main task is to keep the ears pressed to the head. It also protects against accidental injury in everyday life and during sleep, prevents severe bruising and swelling of the postoperative wound.

Depending on the size of the surgical intervention, it is necessary to wear a bandage from 7 to 14 days. In appearance, it resembles a tennis one, so you don’t have to worry that others will look at you.

Necessary medicines in the postoperative period

Immediately after otoplasty, pain medications are administered parenterally to the patient to eliminate pain. But pain can still be disturbing during the first 3 days after the operation. To make rehabilitation more comfortable, the patient is prescribed non-narcotic analgesics in tablets for this period.

Be sure to prescribe a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics to prevent infection of the postoperative wound (5-7 days).

The complex of drug treatment also includes the use of external dosage forms (ointments, gels, creams), which contribute to the rapid healing of the wound and have antibacterial properties. Preparations are selected only by a plastic surgeon.

• Bruising and swelling

Despite the low invasiveness of otoplasty, it will not be possible to avoid bruising and swelling, but measures can be taken to minimize these consequences of the intervention. For this purpose, the wearing of a compression bandage and special, absorbable hematomas, medications are prescribed. As a rule, bruises persist for up to 7 days. To reduce swelling, you need to limit yourself to salty and spicy foods, which retain moisture in the body.

Dressing and removal of sutures

The consequences of otoplasty also depend on the timeliness of postoperative dressings and removal of surgical sutures. As a rule, about three dressings are needed after the operation. Each time, the gauze swab is impregnated with medicines with wound healing and antiseptic properties, and a compression bandage is put on top. The stitches are removed one week after the otoplasty. To do this, you need to visit the clinic.

• Night sleep

This is a very important point in quick rehabilitation, since in a dream a person does not control his movements and can injure the operated ear. You need to sleep on your back and always with a compression bandage on your head.

• final result

The consequences of otoplasty and rehabilitation can be seen 2 weeks after the operation - it is then that the swelling will completely disappear, bruises will disappear and you can no longer wear a bandage. At first, some discomfort may be felt, the sensitivity of the skin of the operated auricles may decrease, but after 2 months, all discomfort completely disappears. It must be emphasized that otoplasty does not affect hearing in any way.

To maximize recovery after plastic surgery, not only after otoplasty, you can use the services of hardware cosmetology and physiotherapy procedures offered by the clinic.

You also need to remember the following tips:

• Do not wash your hair until the stitches are removed (risk of infection);
• Avoid physical overexertion so that the pressure does not increase (postoperative bleeding may begin);
• Forget about glasses for 2 months until complete healing;
• It is not recommended to wear earrings during the first two months after otoplasty.

By following all the described principles of rehabilitation and the advice of your plastic surgeon, the recovery will be the fastest and most successful.