The majority of aesthetic surgeries are performed after adolescence. The most important exception to this is the surgery of prominent ear deformity. Because ears, unlike other organs, complete 90% of their development around the age of 5. We, plastic surgeons, have been performing ear correction surgery since this age. This situation, which can be ridiculed especially in school-age children, can cause serious psychological and social problems and affect school success. Due to the insufficient formation of the ear folds, the angle it makes with the head may be wider than normal. In this case, it is perceived as if the ears are larger than they should be. However, although the size of the ear is the same, the difference in the shape of the cartilage causes misconception. Prominent ear occurs with congenital and familial factors.

Surgery should be considered, especially if school-age children have problems with the deformation of their ears due to negative reactions from the environment.  If you feel that your child has such a problem, it would be beneficial to consult a specialist in the field of child psychology first. If the specialist also recommends the surgery, the person who will help you is plastic surgeons. The wishes of the patients admitted after puberty are sufficient justification for surgery.

It is important that the surgeon and the family inform the child together about the operation. A brief and understandable explanation should be given about what to do, what to experience, and the consequences. This is necessary in order to have a comfortable post-operative period and to avoid fears.

Ear plastic surgeries are simple, easy and one-day surgeries.

Surgery

The operation is performed in hospital conditions. Local or general anesthesia can be applied depending on the condition of the person to be operated. A small incision is made just behind the ear. By entering through this incision, the ear cartilages are shaped with permanent stitches within 1-1.5 hours, the skin  closed with dissolvable sutures. Since the incision is just behind the ear  traces are easily hidden. The patient is discharged on the same day. The bandages are opened after 2-3 days and the patient can be washed. It is recommended to protect the ears with a tennis band or hair band for 10 days after the surgery.

The surgeon’s experience is important in these surgeries. Since it is a bilateral organ, symmetry must be ensured and the ear angle must be well calculated.

A well-performed prominent ear surgery makes a great contribution to the improvement of the patient’s psychology and happiness.