Otoplasty or ear surgery is plastic surgery to correct aesthetic or functional issues in the ear area. The procedure can reposition and reshape the ears and treat any structural problems or injury-related deformations.
You will find a rich selection of clinics offering otoplasty in Turkey, particularly in the country’s cultural capital, Istanbul.
Otoplasty Procedure
Otoplasty usually takes from two to three hours and is performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia, or intravenous sedation.
Incisions are made at the back of the ears in most cases, or in the front within the ear’s natural contours to make the incisions less noticeable during the healing process. The cartilage is reshaped, and stitches are applied to close the incisions.
Patient Profile
Otoplasty is a procedure sought for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. In the former, patients seek to correct aesthetic issues such as protruding, misshapen, deformed, or excessively large ears, while reconstructive surgery is done to fix the structural problems present at birth or caused by an injury.
You should be healthy and ideally a nonsmoker to have an otoplasty.
Otoplasty can be safely performed on healthy children and is, in fact, most commonly performed on children, starting at an age when their ear cartilage is sufficiently developed, usually from the age of five.
Otoplasty Costs
Costs of otoplasty can vary widely according to the surgeon’s experience and the exact type of procedure. Costs of otoplasty in Turkey and many other plastic surgery procedures are much lower compared to Europe and the US.
Your otoplasty’s health insurance coverage will depend on whether it is considered a cosmetic or reconstructive procedure. You should carefully check your health insurance provider’s exact policy concerning this procedure and inquire about any documentation required if health insurance coverage is available.
Always inquire about the full price, which considers the price of surgery and additional costs such as anesthesia fees, operating room facilities and hospital costs, examinations, second procedure cost if necessary, etc.
Consultation
During otoplasty consultations, the following is discussed: surgical goals; medical history; substances used currently, including medications, supplements, alcohol, drugs, and tobacco; current health status; the expected outcome; postoperative care and potential complications.
The ears are examined and photographs taken, after which the surgeon recommends an appropriate course of treatment.
It is advised to make full use of the consultation appointment in order to make as informed of a decision as possible. It is essential for the procedure’s success to honestly answer all of the surgeon’s inquiries and openly ask about anything requiring clarification.
Before The Surgery
The following might be asked of you before having your otoplasty:
- Getting tests for medical evaluation
- Abstaining from nicotine
- Abstaining from aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements
- Taking specific medications or adjusting current medication
Postoperative Care Recovery
After the surgery, bandages are placed over the incisions as they heal and are removed at least three days afterward. You are instructed on how to handle the bandages and what medication to use for healing. A follow-up appointment is arranged. Any remaining stitches are usually removed by your surgeon a week after the surgery.
The incision area’s skin should always be handled gently without exposure to any abrasive motion or any form of solar radiation.
At least one week is needed in most cases to return to normal activities. The otoplasty results are immediately visible, and the incision lines remain concealed either at the back of the ears or in their natural contours in the front.
It is advised to make inquires with your surgeon concerning the period immediately after the surgery and during recovery. You may have questions about where you will be placed after the surgery, what medications you will be given, and when to arrange an appointment for follow-up care.
Disclaimer
In some cases, multiple surgeries are needed for the best results.
