Prominent Ears Are Still an Important Cause of Bullying

• May 18, 2022
• By Fernando Amato

Prominent ears, better known as "bat ears" (orelhas de abano), can be corrected through reconstructive surgery called otoplasty. Generally, parents of children who are just starting school, between six and seven years old, seek correction to prevent bullying and improve their children's self-esteem.

For children, general anesthesia is usually administered, 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 located behind the ear (retroauricular), and typically, full recovery takes one to two weeks. The stitches may be absorbable, but occasionally one or two may need to be removed around 10 days. The dressing consists of a bandage that remains for an average of three days, followed by a compression band worn 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 raised.

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

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