Prominent ears are still a major cause of bullying

• May 18, 2022
• By Fernando Amato

Prominent ears, better known as "bat ears" or "lop ears" can be corrected through reconstructive surgery called otoplasty. Generally, parents of children who are at the beginning of school age, between six and seven years old, seek correction to prevent bullying and improve their children's self-esteem.

In the case of children, general anesthesia is usually applied, but in adults, local anesthesia with or without sedation can be used. Otoplasty surgery can be performed in a day hospital with discharge on the same day as the procedure.

The final scar is behind the ear (retroauricular), and full recovery usually takes one to two weeks. The stitches can be absorbable, but occasionally one or another may need to be removed around 10 days. The dressing is made with a bandage that stays on for an average of three days, and then a compression band is used for at least two weeks.

As with any surgery, otoplasty can also have complications such as bleeding, hematoma, infection, and in the long term, the scar may become widened or enlarged.

More significant deformities may require several surgical stages for the reconstruction of the entire ear. In all proposed surgical treatments, it is important to bring the child to participate and interact in the decisions. Their participation in this phase can be fundamental for a good postoperative period.

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