El Dr. Cerqueiro has introduced into his practice the technique of scarless otoplasty. This new method of correction of prominent ears uses sutures and microsurgical instrumentation for better results. The main advantages of this new technique in comparison with traditional otoplasty are the following:

No scar and minimally invasive: Is performed through tiny punctures without the need for lineal incisions, even in the posterior aspect of the ear, area that remains untouched. Thanks to this no visible scars are made.

Local anaesthesia: In patients over 8 years of age is always done under local anaesthetic and without overnight stay.

No ear dressings: The patient leaves the clinic without any dressings over the ears. In this manner the patient can quickly resume daily activities. There is minimal bruising.

Natural results: Is applicable to most patients with prominent ears (over 95%).

A very quick recovery without scars, dressing care and with minimal discomfort.

If this was needed adjustments can be performed using the same minimally invasive technique.

It is almost impossible to expect any hypertrophic scarring, queloid formation, sharp cartilage edges or any excessive bleeding, risks that have been associated to the traditional otoplasty methods.

The unilateral or bilateral correction of prominent ears is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures that is performed to correct the excessive ear prominence.

The earlobe reduction is needed in patients that for using determined fashion accessories and/or the ageing process have developed an undesired stretching of the earlobe and hence of the ear complex.

The nature of the plastic surgery procedure varies, depending on the problems that must be corrected.

Common problems include: a deep cup of the ear (shell ear), a lack of development of the fold in the ear (anti-helix fold), and various cartilage problems.

The operation may be performed as an out patient in the hospital.

It could be applied to patients of all ages, except for newborns, because with the not yet developed cartilage, is possible to mould the shape through ferulas designed for this purpose, correcting ear prominence without the need of surgery.

Is often performed at one of two stages in life. If recognised early, it is best performed when the child is at the preschool level age 5 – 6. This is the most common time for correction, and continues through the early childhood years.

Adult correction is also very common and has the advantage that it can be performed under local anaesthesia, with or without sedation.

This procedure usually takes about one to two hours, depending on the anaesthesia that is used for otoplasty. Various internal suturing techniques, and cartilage removal and repositioning are used, again, depending on the nature of the problem to be corrected.

The earlobe reduction can be satisfactorily realized with local anaesthesia and ambulatory care. This procedure is done in less an hour. Furthermore this operation is generally combined with other rejuvenation procedures.

Because the young child cannot cooperate, and the fear of the operating room is often strong, we recommend that this operation be performed for children under general anaesthesia at the hospital. If otoplasty is performed for the adolescent or adult, it is performed under local anaesthesia and it is usually well tolerated. Our anaesthetists are fully qualified specialist physicians registered with the Spanish General Medical Council. Specialized pediatric anesthetists are used for children.

There is no pain after the first night of ear plastic surgery. In case of minimally invasive otoplasty a band is needed only during the sleep. On the other hand, with traditional otoplasty, you must wear a bandage for the first 6-7 days. This keeps the gentle compression intact. Is recommended wearing a ski band to sleep for 1-2 months after surgery. Discoloration is gone within ten days after surgery. For the adult patient, return to work is after one week.
For minimally invasive otoplasty the reintegration to work may vary from 24 to 48 hours.

The incidence of complications for otoplasty is remarkably low and even less with the new “scarless otoplasty” technique. Occasionally the correction may not stay, and then recurrence is possible. This may be repaired at a later operation. Dr.Cerqueiro will review details of all the complications with you.