Protruding ears are a common problem in our country and all over the world. This condition, which basically has no effect on the general functioning of the body and therefore cannot be fully described as a disease, poses an aesthetic problem. It is beneficial to correct the prominent ear problem, which causes psychological problems such as lack of self-confidence and decreased self-esteem, with surgery so that the individual can live a better life socially.
Protruding ear problem, also called flail ear, is the most common type of ear deformity and is usually caused by the looseness of the cartilages in the ear area or the insufficiency of the ear folds. For these reasons, the ear, which has a loose structure, leans forward or to the side, causing an unpleasant appearance. Although it is usually seen in both ears, in some people, only one ear looks like a prominent ear. Protruding ears, which is a problem that must be prevented due to the psychological problems it may cause, can be easily corrected with simple aesthetic operations thanks to the opportunities provided by modern medicine.
What are the Causes of Protruding Ears?
Protruding ears, which is a completely congenital problem, occurs due to genetic factors. For this reason, the probability of this problem being seen in people whose family, especially their parents, have prominent ear problems is quite high. Problems that are inherited in families and cause prominent ears are:
The angle between the bone behind the ear and the auricle is too wide
Ear cartilages have a loose structure
The folds on the upper part of the ear do not form and the auricle has a flat structure as if it has been ironed.
Although the relationship between ear muscle laxity and estrogen hormone levels in the blood has been investigated in recent years, no definitive and concrete evidence has yet been found on this subject.
Prominent Ear Surgery
The problem of protruding headphones, which bothered people for a lifetime in the past, has now become a problem that can be easily solved with simple methods. Protruding ears, which have become a nightmare especially for school-age children, must be treated at the right time and using the right techniques. It is a simple plastic surgery operation that does not carry serious risks. It is a surgery that must be performed under hospital conditions. It is performed by applying local or general anesthesia in accordance with the surgeon's recommendation, taking into account the age of the patient. Although it varies depending on the level of the ear problem, the surgery is usually completed in 45-90 minutes and does not require hospitalization. Depending on the ear structure, surgeon's technique and preference, the operation can be performed in the front or back of the ear. By performing an aesthetic operation to address the root cause of the problem, the ear cartilages are usually shaped as they should be and the ear is repositioned backwards. At the end of the surgery, special tapes are placed on the ear for 1-2 weeks and then removed. The incisions made during the surgery generally remain behind the ear and there are no scars that may cause aesthetic problems. The surgery does not affect hearing during the recovery period or after recovery, and the person can easily continue his normal life. The recovery process in prominent ear surgery, which is performed quite simply and quickly, takes a maximum of 1-2 weeks. At the end of this process, the prominent ear appearance disappears completely and the person has ears that look natural and as they should be.
Prominent Ear Surgery in Children
If protruding ears are detected in babies by the family or the doctor, it may be possible to prevent the problem without requiring surgery in the future by using some elastic bands under the supervision of the doctor for a few months. If this period is missed or the prominent ear problem is detected later, the time to perform the surgery is decided as a result of the examination by the plastic surgeon. Although prominent ear surgery can also be performed on adults, it is more appropriate to perform it in childhood so that the child can step into adulthood in a psychologically and socially healthy way and become a self-confident individual. For this reason, the most appropriate age range for surgery, which should be performed in the preschool period, is around 4-6 years of age. Children whose prominent ear problem is corrected during this period when ear development is completed will have a healthier education period by avoiding being ridiculed by their friends when they start school.
Prominent Ear Surgery Recovery Time
One of the issues that people who want to have prominent ear surgery are most curious about is the recovery process. This surgery will not pose any problems, especially for people who do not want it to be known that they have had this surgery and want to continue their normal lives during this period. In prominent ear surgery, which is performed quite simply and quickly, the patient is discharged on the same day after a short operation. The healing process takes a maximum of 1-2 weeks. Patients can take a shower 1-2 days after the surgery and can easily return to their routine life after a week at the latest. Protecting the ears from external influences during this process increases the success rate of the operation. At the end of the process, the prominent ear appearance disappears completely and the person has ears that look natural and as they should be. People whose ear appearance is in the desired shape also experience great psychological relief and happiness at the end of the process.
If you have a prominent ear problem, you can have a prominent ear surgery and have normal-looking ears, considering that this situation can be corrected with a very simple plastic surgery and thus you can prevent many possible social and psychological problems.
