How to defeat protruding ears: conditions and methods for correcting the shape of the ears

Protruding ears are certainly subject to correction, and at the minimum age allowed by medical indications, since this type of ear deformity causes the greatest number of psychological problems in people compared to other appearance defects. Plastic surgery of the ears with protruding ears allows solving the problem of personal isolation for the patient, rid him of many complexes associated with appearance. Ear surgery due to protruding ears is not considered a particularly difficult operation, but it can solve many complex problems.

What causes protruding ears and its symptoms

According to scientists, almost every second child is born with some degree of lop-earedness, regardless of gender. But over time, in most of them, the severity of the deformation of the auricle decreases significantly. The relief of the auricle is formed approximately at the sixth month of pregnancy, and if there is a deformation of the outer ear, then at the birth of a child, lop-earedness is already clearly defined. In the first weeks after the birth of the baby, the deformation of the ears can be corrected without surgical intervention, simply by fixing the ears in the desired position.

The position of the auricle is considered normal when its line is parallel to the cheek, the angle of its distance from the bones of the skull is approximately 30°, and the distance from the edge of the ear to the bone – about 2 cm. Both ears can be deformed symmetrically, as well as one of them. The degree of deformation can be different, types and causes – are also very different in different patients, so the tactics of otoplasty is always completely individual.

It is very important to know exactly what is causing the protruding ear when planning a correction.  Most often, protruding ears are due to underdevelopment or excessive flattening of the antihelix, which is why the upper part of the ear sticks out. If the deformation at the lobe level – the lower part of the ear protrudes.  When it comes to hypertrophied cartilage – the entire auricle protrudes.

 How protruding ears are corrected and what aspects of it require attention

Sometimes in children, protruding ears become less noticeable with age, when the bones of the skull gradually increase. If this does not happen, then otoplasty is recommended until the age of 8 – before the child goes to school. This is important so that he does not subsequently develop psychological problems due to lop-earedness. If an adult applies for correction, there are no age restrictions, but it makes sense to recommend a consultation with a psychologist, since the patient most likely has problems of social adaptation.

Ear plasty has some contraindications:

• susceptibility to keloid scarring;
• inflammatory processes in the ears;
• blood clotting disorder;
• exacerbation of infectious and chronic diseases;
• diabetes mellitus.

Ear plasty is not considered a complex operation, it belongs to the methods of aesthetic surgery, but it requires high qualifications and good practical skills from the surgeon in this area. Through the incision behind the auricle, the cartilage is given the desired shape, if necessary, the earlobe is corrected at the same time. The ears are fixed in a position adjacent to the head with special rollers and a bandage.  Ear plastic surgery can also be performed using a laser – in this case, the ear cartilage is modeled with a laser beam, without skin incisions. If the otoplasty technique is followed and the patient follows the doctor's recommendations, there are practically no complications, and the result of otoplasty is preserved for life.