INFORMATION
PROMINENT EAR REPAIR
- This is performed as a day procedure. The ears are covered with a supportive bandage that has to remain in place for 7-10 days post-operatively. Patients receive a script for pain killers and antibiotics on discharge. Bandages are removed after a week. Absorbable/dissolvable sutures are used to close the skin and their tips are cut after removal of the bandages. Patients should protect their ears from accidental contact during the day and sleep with a bandage/sweat band/beanie for 6 weeks post-operatively. Any trauma in this period can lead to the sutures placed in the cartilage dislodging, causing the cartilage to return to the same position it was in before the procedure.
- Light duty activities are allowed from 2 weeks and full exercise at 6 weeks. Contact sport is allowed after 12 weeks. Follow-up visits are then scheduled for 1 week, 6 weeks or as needed at any time.
- The ears are usually not symmetrical ( mirror images ) before the surgery. Although attempts are made to achieve the best outcome, no guarantee can be given on post-operative symmetry.
- Avoid any medication or supplements that have a blood thinning effect two weeks before the surgery. This increases the risk of bleeding . These include all aspirin containing medicines, anti-inflammatory medicines, herbal/homeopathic medicines and most vitamins/supplements.
- Stop smoking and the use of nicotine containing products for 4 weeks before until 4 weeks after the surgery. Nicotine reduces blood circulation to the skin. The effect of smoking on the lungs increases the risk of coughing when waking up after the anesthetic thereby increasing the risk of bleeding.
RISKS
PROMINENT EAR REPAIR
- Bleeding during and after surgery. This risk increases if patients are using medication or other substances with a blood thinning effect. These should be stopped 2 weeks before surgery.
- Temporary numbness due to swelling compressing on nerves is then followed after a few weeks by a temporary period of possible hypersensitivity as the nerves recover.
- Asymmetry is usually present before surgery. It might still appear after surgery. Perfect symmetry between the two sides can never be achieved.
- Recurrence of the prominence can happen if stitches in the cartilage dislodge or tear through. This mostly happens when unexpected trauma to the ears occur in the first 6 weeks after surgery.
- Scarring is usually only problematic in patients who are prone to forming hypertrophic or keloid scars.
Further details about the risks and preventative measures will be discussed during consultation.
ADDRESS
Denneboom Rd, Wilgers, Pretoria, 0040
Suite A1, Life Wilgers Hospital
Postal Address:
Box 11694, Silver Lakes, 0054
CONTACT US
Tel: 012 807 2695
Fax: 012 807 2696
CONSULTING ROOMS
Mo-Fr: 8:00 – 17:00