Introduction
Our genes largely dictate the shape and size of our ears. In these respects, ears can vary enormously between individuals as well as between the right and left side. In situations where the ears appear to be particularly prominent or when the shape looks decidedly out of the normal, psychological effects are often experienced. The child with protruding ears is often the subject of continuous taunts and teases that remind them again and again of their deformity. Feelings of self- consciousness, rejection and hostility can become underlying reactions to lack of peer acceptance. While adults generally do not express such attitudes openly, the grown individual frequently maintains the same sensitivities that were present during childhood. Although fortunately long hair can cover the ears, these can become obvious in windy conditions or when the hair is wet. If the ears are very prominent however, practically no hairstyle can hide them.
More recently, a fuller understanding of the anatomy and the development of the ear has allowed us to treat prominent or deformed ears non surgically in the first 8 weeks of life. This basically consists of a 6 week period of splintage. In 95% of early cases treated in this way, surgical intervention will not be required. Sadly if splintage is not performed at this critical early stage then the deformity will persist and thus will require surgical intervention if it is to be corrected. In these cases surgical correction can be performed quite effectively as early as the fourth year. Most surgeons would recommend having surgery just before a child starts school. In the preschool age group the deformity is often unnoticed by playmates and so the psychic trauma is minimised. Once school begins however, the situation frequently changes. In all cases parents should stay alert to their child's feelings about protruding ears along with any effects this may engender.
Consultation preoperatively accomplishes several objectives. A thorough medical history and appropriate physical examination will be taken to ascertain your health status. If you are a smoker you will be asked to stop smoking well in advance of surgery. Smoking seriously constricts blood vessels and therefore decreases blood flow to a given area resulting in poor healing. Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs and other medications (discussed in DO'& DON'TS section) can cause increased bleeding, so you must avoid these. Details of any previous ear surgery will be noted. Ear asymmetry is usual and will be pointed out. Many times even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is performed on both ears for a better balance. This will be better assessed at the consultation.
It will also be determined what procedure would be more appropriate for you. As there are a number of variations of ear protrusion and deformity, each one must be treated in a different manner. In addition, surgery can also imporve large, stretched or even split earlobes or lobes with large creases and wrinkles. This will be discussed with you at the time of the consultation.