ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
16.10.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Ear Reshaping: Short Procedure, Permanent Results

Author: Patricia Woloch Author Ranking Gold Featured Author | Posted: 22-05-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 71 | Rating:  (81) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Related Videos
Episode 45 - How to Use an Earlex Spray Station 5000

This video covers my initial impressions and experience with the Earlex Spray...

How to Make Earth Friendly School Supplies

Corinne gives us some tips on where to find some great earth...

How To Clean Your Dog's Ears

Dogs can get build-up in their ears just like people can. Dr....

Sign Up Now!

Ear reshaping, also known as otoplasty, is one of the oldest cosmetic techniques in existence today. Like rhinoplasty, it was first used in ancient India for reconstructive purposes. The Vedic surgeon Sushruta not only performed the technique, but described how it was done in his text Sushruta Samhita.

However, cosmetic ear surgery was not invented until 1845, when the attempts to correct over-prominent ears. However, the procedure was not described in medical texts until 1881. In this case, a wedge of cartilage and skin were removed from the back of the conchal bowl to reduce the prominence of the ears. The main difficulty with this technique was the long healing time and the scarring that resulted, so the technique was constantly revised. Often, otoplasty patients had wrinkling or sharp extrusions of cartilage. By the 1940s, doctors realized that cartilage did not have to be removed in order to successfully reshape the ear. Instead, it could be merely shaved, and nowadays even more cartilage-conserving techniques are used that keep the ear's natural shape while moving it closer to the head.

Cosmetic Surgery for Children

Otoplasty is the only cosmetic surgery that is regularly performed on children. This is partly because the ear reaches maturity very early in life. Fully formed at birth, the ear reaches 85 % of adult size by age 3 and normally reaches adult size by age 6. This makes ear operations safer at a much younger age than, say, breast augmentation, which should probably be avoided until at least a patient's 20s. Because the ear reaches full size at a young age, malformities of the ear are highly visible in young children, and often lead to teasing and bullying that is very detrimental to the self-esteem of afflicted children, a detriment that can lead to life-long social difficulties.

The Otoplasty Procedure

With the patient under local or general anesthesia, a short (2.5-2.7 cm) incision is made behind the ear. The cartilage of the ear is undermined, making it easier to reshape. Then the ear is rotated forward, exposing the hillocks of cartilage that support the ear, and these are shaved to the desired shape. Then the ear is set back and bound in its new position using permanent sutures. Then the Mustarde technique is used to reshape the ear so it appears natural. Dissolving sutures are used to hold the ear in place until it heals into its new shape. The whole procedure takes about an hour for both ears.

Recovery

There should be little pain relating to the otoplasty procedure. You will wear dressing on your ears for 4-5 days, and you will wear a headband overnight for four weeks to protect your ears while you sleep. There are few regular complications associated with the technique, and infections and severe scarring are rare. A small number (2-3 %) of patients require a second operation achieve full cosmetic correction.

The results of your otoplasty will be a better appearance for your ears. Overprominence and lop-ear will both be corrected, and you will feel much less self-conscious about your appearance. Your results are permanent and will never need revision or touch-up.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/ear-reshaping-short-procedure-permanent-results-422745.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

To learn more about otoplasty in San Diego, contact Face Beautiful Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery today to set up your initial consultation.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Evolution of the Facelift
By: Patricia Woloch | 31/03/2008 | Women's Health
To most people, a facelift is just a facelift. In its generic sense, it can be used to describe any cosmetic improvement given to anything from a public building to a person to a political platform.

Botulinum Toxin A: From Sausage Poison to Anal Fissures
By: Patricia Woloch | 29/02/2008 | Plastic Surgeries
The most popular cosmetic treatment in the US is Botox. Many people don’t know much about the history of Botox, interesting as it may be. Read on to learn more.

Think you Need a Facelift? Think Again
By: Patricia Woloch | 21/12/2007 | Anti Aging
Before you go to your local cosmetic surgeon demanding a facelift, you should consider your alternatives.

Not all Botox is Created Equal
By: Michele Ellingsen | 30/07/2007 | Non-Fiction
So much is heard today about Botox. Ads and specials glut the market, creating mass confusion among the public ... and especially among those considering having the injections. Let the buyer beware - all Botox is not created equal.

Acupuncture M.d. - Training and Scope of Practice
By: CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd | 04/09/2007 | Alternative Medicine
An Acupuncture, M.D. practices integrative/complementary medicine. (Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of pain relief and disease treatment.) Because therapists have used acupuncture effectively over several centuries, a practicing Acupuncture, M.D. understands the full potential of this ancient therapy, and uses the same treatment that of licensed acupuncturists.

How are Cataracts Treated?
By: Patricia Woloch | 21/11/2007 | Health
Eye cataracts are treated only by being removed. But there is no way to keep the eye’s lens in place and just remove the cataract.

Improve Memory Loss — How to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease
By: Susan Nickerson | 19/07/2008 | Acne
Did you know that memory loss in old age can progress to full Alzheimer’s disease? There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but it can be prevented. Discover how the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation promotes a breakthrough treatment strategy to improve memory loss and prevent Alzheimer’s.

Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease – 5 Simple Tips
By: Susan Nickerson | 27/09/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Is Alzheimer’s genetic? Or is it an unfortunate fact of aging? Are there steps we can take right now to start preventing Alzheimer’s disease from developing as we get older?

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Medicine Articles

How Women Can Decrease Their Blood Pressure
By: Marci Lall | 16/10/2008
It's a no brainer that regular exercise can help lower high blood pressure. To help you throw your sedentary (inactive) lifestyle out the window and decrease your BP values, incorporate some of these exercises into your daily routine and watch your BP amazingly decrease. If you do have blood pressure keep...

Buy Ultram Online- Pain! Forget This Word
By: Article Manager | 16/10/2008
Buy Ultram online is beneficial in the treatment of moderate or severe pain. When the treatment is required in order to treat moderate to severe pain, your doctor may recommend you a comprehensive release Ultram. Buy Ultram online from any online store because it is time and money saving way.

Buy Soma- Enjoy a Pain Free Life
By: Article Manager | 16/10/2008
In any kind of muscle pain, use Soma and say good bye to your pain. Soma is very valuable drug in relaxing and relieving the muscle pain. Patients who are suffering from strains, sprains, spasms and many other muscle injuries usually buy Soma. This medication is quite effective particularly with musculoskeletal pain.

Natural And Organic Alternatives To Cosmetic Surgery
By: Hannah Walker | 15/10/2008
It seems that in today's society people will go to greater and more dramatic lengths to pursue their physical ideal and many do not bat an eyelid at the idea of going under the knife. However no one should be fooled by the glamorised, celebrity endorsed culture of cosmetic surgery;...

Is LASIK the Right Thing For You to Do?
By: Lizzie J | 15/10/2008
Most people know a little something about LASIK surgery, but few people under enough detail to make a decision on having the surgery. Here are some basic facts about LASIK that you may need to know before you have this surgery. When you are considering LASIK surgery to correct your vision...

What to Consider When Choosing Skin Mole Removal
By: Justin DiMateo | 15/10/2008
Procedures to remove a mole are often fairly non-invasive and can usually be done in a doctor's office using local anesthetic. Whether you are choosing to remove a mole for skin cancer suspicion, irritation or cosmetic reasons, there are a couple of methods that you can discuss with your doctor....

What Are Headaches?
By: Annette Badowski | 15/10/2008
In short, a headache is not a disease, but it may indicate that something is wrong. While most headaches are common and not life threatening, some may have an underlying cause that requires medical attention. The most common headaches are "tension", "stress' and "migraine" headaches. Tension and stress type headaches...

What is Lumbago?
By: Annette Badowski | 15/10/2008
The medical industry defines lumbago as mild to severe pain or discomfort in the region of the lower back. There are two specific types of lumbago pain, specifically, acute (pain can be sudden and severe and comes and goes) or chronic, lasting over three months. Lumbago can strike anyone, but...

More from Patricia Woloch

Porcelain Veneers and Cavities
By: Patricia Woloch | 16/10/2008 | Dental Care
In many ways porcelain veneers are the flagship cosmetic dental treatment because they can essentially give a person a whole new smile all at once.

What is Lasik?
By: Patricia Woloch | 14/10/2008 | Anti Aging
LASIK. A word bandied about for years now. While most people know that it means going from wearing glasses or contacts to not wearing glasses or contacts, most people don’t really know what LASIK is.

Tooth Whitening
By: Patricia Woloch | 14/10/2008 | Dental Care
As tooth whitening products rapidly increase in popularity, it becomes apparent that most people want a simple solution to achieving whiter teeth.

Family Dentistry – Keep Your Family’s Smiles Bright and White
By: Patricia Woloch | 14/10/2008 | Dental Care
Did you know we’re only supposed to live for around thirty-five years? Without modern dentistry, that’s how long our teeth are supposed to last.

What is Full-mouth Reconstruction?
By: Patricia Woloch | 14/10/2008 | Dental Care
Full-mouth reconstruction is one of the advances of modern cosmetic dentistry. It is the restoration of many, maybe all, teeth to make them functional as well as beautiful.

Breast Augmentation: a Word to Men
By: Patricia Woloch | 13/10/2008 | Plastic Surgeries
A woman’s idea of a “successful” breast augmentation can be marred by what does, or doesn’t, happen between the time she considers having this done and recovery. One less-obvious factor is the impact her man can have on her experience, and his as well.

Choosing a Breast Implant Size
By: Patricia Woloch | 13/10/2008 | Plastic Surgeries
The primary consideration when considering breast augmentation surgery is to ensure that you are getting the size of breast you want, not basing the size on some unrealistic Hollywood notion, or bowing to pressure from your boyfriend or husband.

The Best Way to Whiten Teeth
By: Patricia Woloch | 13/10/2008 | Dental Care
What’s so great about professional whitening? It gets results! Professional whitening is also extremely popular because it lets you whiten at your own pace with the treatment format that is most comfortable to you.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below