Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)

Risks Specific to Otoplasty Surgery

• Overcorrection:
  
  • this places the ears too close to the head and may require a revision surgery.
  
  
• Keloid/Hypertrophic scar formation:
  
  • a thick scar that grows larger than is expected
  
  
• Infection:
  
  • It is important to take the prescribed antibiotics following the surgery to prevent infection.
  
  
• Bruising, Bleeding & haematoma:
  
  • Localised swelling due to an accumulation of blood in the cartilage of the ear. The risk of hematoma from otoplasty is considered small, but early contact with your treating Doctor will decrease risks of deformity as a result.
  
  
• Assymetry:
  
  • No surgery can predict perfect symmetry and indeed no person is perfectly symmetrical but the improvement in proportion and shape makes most patients, young and old, delighted with the results.
  
  
  • Loosening of the sutures, which can cause the ear to return to its original position.
  
  

General Risks of Surgery

Because surgery is such a vital part of modern medicine, there is a tendency to forget that there are risks associated with every type of surgery. While these risks are small, every person undergoing surgery should be aware of the risks.

Wounds

All internal and external wounds need time to heal after surgery. Sutures, stitiches and other material are used to hold wounds closed while they heal.

Infections

Despite taking precautions, infections can occur during and just after surgery. Because of their generally good health, otoplasty patients usually have a much lower risk of developing general infections such as pneumonia.

DVT (Deep Venous Thrombosis)

Patients have a risk of forming a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) that, on rare occasions may break off and get stuck in the lung circulation (pulmonary embolism). This is minimized by early mobilization after the surgery. You will also be encouraged to breathe deeply when you wake up from the anesthetic as this expands your lungs and helps ensure your blood oxygen levels are good.

Risks of Anesthesia

Because this surgery is performed under local anæsthetic with sedation, it carries the lowest level of risk:

• Local Anesthetic:
  
  • Rarely a person may have an allergic reaction to the local anesthetic, or experience a rapid heartbeat due to the adrenaline that is used to reduce bleeding.
  
  
• It is important that all patients seeking to undergo elective surgery have realistic expectations that focus on improvement rather than perfection.


• Complications or less than satisfactory results are sometimes unavoidable, may require additional surgery and can be stressful.


• Please discuss openly with Dr Konrat in your consultation prior to surgery, any history of emotional depression or mental health disorders. If you are unsure whether a matter is relevant, please mention it anyway. Although many individuals may benefit psychologically from the results of elective cosmetic surgery, the effects on mental health can never be predicted and could possibly have a negative influence on emotional stability.

Please note that this information should be used only as a guide to your treatment. All specifics will be discussed with Dr Konrat during your initial consultation.