The condition known as "prominent ear" in daily speech is actually not a disease, but an aesthetic problem that occurs due to congenital and familial reasons.
How is Prominent Ear Treated?
This deformity, popularly called prominent ear, can be corrected by surgical intervention (otoplasty). In this correction process, the person does not feel pain or ache. After the treatment, controls are made for a certain period of time. After the person regains his/her health, he/she can continue his/her normal life. In this way, the person regains both psychological and aesthetic health. It is a deformity seen in 5 out of every 100 people in the society.
Conservative Treatment: Generally, it is a form of treatment that allows the auricle to regain its proper form by giving the desired shape to the auricle in the early period and applying pressure for a while. However, when this condition is noticed in the baby after birth, it is a treatment that should be applied within the first week. This type of treatment is called conservative treatment. Prominent ear can be treated without surgery in this way in the early period.
When Should Prominent Ear Surgery Be Performed?
Surgical intervention for prominent ear can be performed at any age, but the most appropriate time is after the age of 5, when the shaping and growth of the ear cartilage is completed, and if possible before starting school. Early treatment will prevent the negativities and psychological problems that may arise during the socialization process of the child. Families should be pioneers in this regard and act by considering the problems their children may experience in the future and guide their children correctly.
The operated area of the operated person remains bandaged for about 1 week. Afterwards, the bandages are removed, the general condition of the patient is checked and the stitches behind the ear are removed and the patient's treatment is completed. The process takes 1 week or 10 days in total.
Why does it happen?
Due to the fact that the folds in the ear cartilage are not sufficiently formed, the auricle appears larger and more open than it is, and this situation is called prominent ear among the people.
The aesthetic problem experienced for prominent ears can often lead to psychological problems during the school period or in adolescence in the future. It is very important that families support the person for situations that may cause these problems. If it is applied at an early age, that is, at the age when the new shaping of the cartilage is completed, it can be treated more healthily. Because the cartilage has stopped growing and its shape is complete. Since it is a treatable problem, they can quickly apply to the Ear, Nose and Throat Department.