Operative and post operative:
Best time to reshape the external defects of the ears is before the
child goes to school around 5 years of age. The surgery is painless
and done under anesthesia. It involves reshaping and repositioning
the cartilage framework of the ear in prominent or cup shaped defects.
Absence or rudimentary ears require multistage procedure and making
of ear shape from the ribs and costal cartilages. Alternatively synthetic
implants may be used. These procedures require a high degree of surgical
skill and often require more than one surgery.
Children need to be fully counseled and require efficient postoperative
care both by doctors and the parents. One stage takes about 7 days
healing time but the ears may require protection with bandages and
covers for about 4 to 8 weeks.
Results and complications:
Prominent or bat and cup shaped ears can be restored to almost normal
shape and size. The results for very small crumpled or absent ears
vary from very good to not so good depending upon the defect and the
surgeon’s skill.
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