What is Ear Surgery for Prominent Ears (Otoplasty)? It is estimated that at least 20% of adults are unhappy with the shape of their ears. Almost all peculiarly shaped ears (Stahl ear, lop ear, cryptotia, cup ear) are clearly evident after birth. The prominence of ear deformities (prominent ears) occurs within the first 3 months after birth. For aesthetic ear surgery in children, it is necessary to wait until the age of 5 for ear growth and cartilage to reach a thickness where stitches can hold. Assoc. Dr. Gürcan Aslan recommends that ear deformities in childhood should be corrected before starting school. Children can be shy and sometimes cruel towards things that are different by nature. It is appropriate for children with prominent ears to undergo aesthetic ear surgery before starting school to avoid being the subject of ridicule.
What Should a Normal Ear Look Like? The average adult female ear is about 59mm in height, and the average adult male ear is about 63mm in height. In male children, ear length is 48mm at 6 months, 55mm at 5 years, and 59mm at 10 years. The values are similar for girls. Thus, the ear reaches adult size almost by the age of 10. After the age of 60, especially the earlobe length increases gradually. The average adult ear has a gap of about 17mm between the back surface of the ear and the head. When viewed from above, if the angle between the ear and the head exceeds 40 degrees, the ear is clinically considered prominent (prominent ear).
Prominent Ear Prominent ears are generally known as "bat ears," "sail ears," or "butterfly ears." Approximately 5% of people have prominent ears. Babies born with prominent ear deformities rarely correct themselves; on the contrary, this deformity can appear in babies with a normal ear appearance by the 3rd month. There are variations in prominent ear deformities, and while some can be corrected with thread ear aesthetics as commonly mentioned in the media, others require more detailed aesthetic surgery. In the early years of life, prominent ears can improve to some extent with splinting. If improvement does not occur, surgery is recommended for pre-school-age children. There are many surgical methods available, especially for adult patients, and local anesthesia can be preferred. Dr. Gürcan Aslan also prefers local anesthesia for adult patients with prominent ears.
Stahl's Ear In this congenital ear deformity, the earlobes are pointed. It is also referred to as Spock's ear, in reference to Mr. Spock from the classic Star Trek series. It can be corrected with local anesthesia.
Lop Ear It is seen in a small number of cases. It occurs when the upper part of the ear folds over itself. It can be corrected with surgery.
Cup Ear In this ear deformity, the upper and lower parts of the ear are close to each other, giving it a cup-like appearance. It can be corrected with surgery.
Cryptotia ("Hidden Ear") Sometimes only the lower two-thirds of the ear can be seen, and the upper ear appears buried under the scalp. When the ear is gently pulled, the upper pole cartilage (hidden under the hairy skin) is revealed. For non-surgical correction, splinting should be applied as soon as possible after birth to create an upper groove or sulcus. Surgical treatment is then required.