What are the potential risks and complications of otoplasty?
Ear surgery, as with all modern surgeries, is generally safe, but there is a potential for complications and risks. Before your surgery I will discuss all of the potential risks with you, including:
- Allergic or hypersensitive reaction to the antiseptic, dressings or medications
- Immediately following your surgery, you may experience short-term nausea and vomiting due to the anaesthesia
- If you are a smoker or have diabetes, you may experience slow healing
- You may have a sore throat as a result of the breathing tube that will be used during the general anaesthetic
- Bruising, swelling and pain may occur around the incision site
- An infection may arise that requires an antibiotic treatment and, in some cases, additional surgery may be necessary
- You may develop keloid or hypertrophic scars which are raised and thickened scars. This type of scarring may be unsightly, annoying and itchy; however, they are not threatening to your health and rare if you have no family history of the condition
- A large blood clot that requires drainage may form under the site of the incision; if this occurs, the clot will need to be evacuated in the operating theatre immediately
- Ears may become asymmetrical and require additional surgery to repair cartilage irregularities or to correct problems with symmetry
- One or both ears may have re-protrusion, which may require additional surgery
- Ear cartilage has a small overlaying area of skin which may die and result in an ulcer forming. The ulcer may require several weeks for healing.
There may be a permanent or temporary loss of sensation in the skin area of the incision site and/or the back of the ear surface
How much does otoplasty cost?
Costs associated with a corrective ear surgery vary depending on a number of factors such as:
- Anaesthetist's fee
- Private hospital or day surgical facility fees
- Your level of private insurance cover
- Surgical assistant's fee
After our consultation, my staff will give you an itemised account of the total cost.
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Otoplasty is generally a surgery for kids; kids with bad ears
Dr Pouria Moradi