Notes :

New address:

995, De Salaberry
Montréal Québec
H3L 1L2

(514) 288-2097

Otoplasty or ear surgery

Otoplasty or ear surgery is use to improve the appearance by correcting abnormalities in the structure of the ear.

Otoplasty can correct a variety of ear conditions like large lobe, protruding ear, lop ear (ear tip folds down and trends forward) or shell ear correction. In consultation, the surgeon will analyze the misshapen of the ear with the face. The scars are hidden behind the ear.

The procedure is done under local anaesthesia and a mild sedation can be given. Otoplasty takes about 1 hour and melting stitches are used. For the recovery period, a head bandage is placed on and must remain on for approximately a week, followed by a headband that must be worn at night for another 2 to 3 weeks.

Surgery risks

Hematomas
it’s a pooling of blood at the surgical site, in this case behind the ear which requires a quick operation in order to drain the excess of blood.

Infection
In rare cases, an infection or chondritis of the cartilage may alter the final result.

Necrosis
This is rare, but occurs when the cartilage skin is too fine. The necrosis will then leave a visible scar. The use of tobacco, known to interfere with microcirculation, contributes to the development of tissues necrosis.

Edemas
The complete resorption can take several months.

Overgrowth of scar tissue
The quality of natural healing varies from one patient to another. Scars can be of different types including adhesions, stretched, hyper or hypo pigmented, hypertrophic or keloid scars. The ear area is known to develop keloid scars. There risks are estimated at 1/500. The treatment of keloid scars is complex (corticoid injection, silicone gel sheeting ...).

Light imperfections
Complications is possible with any surgery, as well as unexpected scarring phenomenas or insuffisant correction. A little touch-up, under local anaesthesia may be needed.