PROCEDURE:
- Congenital origin presenting with 1 or more of the following abnormalities:
- Unfolding of the antihelix (outward fold of ear)
- Deep concha (bowel/central part of ear)
- Prominent lobule
- This procedure is performed with an incision on the posterior surface of the ear to hide the scar.
- The cartilage is moulded with-or-without incisions in the cartilage and sutures to fold the cartilage in shape.
- This surgery is mostly performed between 5 and 10 years.
PRE-OPERATIVE:
- Please stop any over-the-counter herbs, vitamins, or drugs 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery.
- Disprin, NSAIDS and blood thinners should be stopped 7 days prior to surgery unless specified or instructed differently by Dr F. Spruyt. This is done to prevent excessive bleeding.
- You should be fasted for 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery.
- Please be at the hospital 2 hours prior to your surgery to allow for admission and preparation.
- You will be counselled on the risks, complications, and healing process prior to your surgery. If you have any questions, please write them down and bring them with you so that they may be discussed prior to surgery.
PROCEDURE:
- The procedure takes approximately 60 minutes for unilateral and 90 minutes for both ears.
- The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, but additional pain blocks will be administered in theatre to reduce post-operative pain.
- Antibacterial and soft compression dressings are placed, and the ears are wrapped up with a bandage.
- Pain medication is also administered through a drip during anaesthesia to help with pain during and after the surgery.
POST-OPERATIVE:
- You will be monitored in the ward after surgery. If you are eating and drinking and your vitals are normal and pain is controlled, you will be discharged.
- Do not open the dressings after surgery. Dressings will be opened at your follow-up visit.
- If you did not receive a follow-up appointment, please phone the rooms for an appointment.
- Once the dressings have been removed, you will be required to sleep with a head band or stocking for 6 weeks post surgery.
- Do not wear tight restrictive clothing for the first 2 weeks. It is better to wear a button down shirt so as to avoid trauma to the ears when dressing and undressing.
- Avoid using tissue oils on the scars, only a cream like Epimax or a silicone cream may be applied once healed.
- Avoid contact sports for 6 months and thereafter use protective head gear to avoid injury to the ears.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS:
- Bleeding and hematoma (blood collection) will present as unilateral pain
- Infection (red, warm, fever and severe pain)
- Suture erosion or release
- Scars
- Asymmetry (usually very minor and normal as no ears are 100% symmetrical)
This procedure is usually not very painful, however, should you develop sudden onset of severe pain on one side of the surgery, this could be a sign of bleeding or infection and will need to be reported ASAP.