Big ears

introduction

Under the term big ears (synonym: Otopexy) is a surgical procedure for treating protruding ears.

The American surgeon made the first attempts at an operation to create protruding ears Edward Talbot Ely back. He carried out the first big ears in 1881. While Talbot only removed parts of the skin behind the ear, combinations of several surgical techniques are used today.

When deciding on the surgical creation of the ears, however, it must be noted that protruding ears are not a clinical picture. For this reason, the treatment of the sail ears is a purely aesthetic operation.

Protruding ears

Protruding ears are often colloquially referred to as Sail ears designated. According to the definition, the ears of those affected are around more than 30 degrees off the head.

Usually the protruding ears have one genetic predisposition underlying. That means that sail ears in the families most of those affected occur frequently. The ear is made up of a single piece of cartilage supported by a very thin layer of skin is covered. On the Back of ears This layer of skin can be moved while it is firmly attached to the cartilage on the front side. For this reason, the Front of the ears a complicated relief, which corresponds to the cartilage structure underlying the skin layer.

With the special feature "Sail ears“It is by no means a clinical picture. Protruding ears do not restrict hearing at all or only to a minor extent and only adjust for those affected cosmetic problem . Just at Children and Teenagers Sail ears that are not put on early can, however, develop more diverse mental disorders favor. The affected children often experience that there is any visible deviation from the norm ridiculed becomes. Because of this, they often develop Inferiority complexes and a keen fear of being mocked. Protruding ears that are not put on early can therefore help those affected far-reaching consequences to have.

Need for surgery

At protruding ears it is just one anatomical variant. Sail ears represent in the real sense no clinical picture represent.

Nevertheless, this anatomical variant, which deviates from the norm, can certainly achieve a disease value through feedback from the environment. Many of those affected are currently experiencing young years of life Ridicule and are daily Teasing exposed. This often leads to pronounced in those affected Inferiority complexes.

It is not uncommon for people with protruding ears to be particularly at risk of developing mental illness for this reason. Studies have shown that many people with protruding ears experience depression. Although this mainly affects children and young people, they still suffer adults too often from the consequences of protruding ears.

In plastic surgery, tail ears are only used as minor auricular malformation classified, the consequence of a genetically determined embryological malformation. According to experts, hearing is not or only slightly restricted by the protruding ears. A medical need there is therefore no need to put on the protruding ears in terms of hearing. The psychological impairments that sail ears bring with them can be a operative correction but justify it.

Surgical methods

The Methods for creating protruding ears can roughly in two groups be divided.

In the conventional surgical methods, according to which the majority of specialists operate to this day, both Parts of the skin, as well as Sections of cartilage removed. Since the traditional methods of big ears are usually open, extensive operations acts, they hold one Multitude of risks.

Patients often report of after treatment severe pain. In addition, antibiotic prophylaxis must be carried out after the surgical procedure. In addition, the treatment result should also Weeks after the procedure with a Head bandage secured. This is the only way to ensure that the ears remain in the desired position after being put on.

During the entire healing phase can affect patients of pronounced Swelling, Bruises and Pain to be tormented. In addition, due to the open surgical procedure visible scars behind the auricle stay back.

Novel processes however, are considered essential gentler and lower risk. However, the choice of the most suitable form of treatment must be made by the attending physician after an extensive examination and in consultation with the patient. Most protruding ears procedures can be performed under local or general anesthesia. At Children It is usually advisable to strive for an operation under general anesthesia.

Traditional methods

The traditional methods To this day, most of the treating physicians still do it. These methods are operative interventions, at them skin- and Cartilage removed behind the auricle become.

Patients who choose to have the big ears and choose a traditional method of treatment must be aware that the surgical procedure will increase it prolonged pain, Infections, Swelling and Bruising can come.

Surgery is probably the most common traditional method for putting on protruding ears Converse. In this procedure, an auricle is placed just behind the auricle long cut set. Then the Reverse of the ear cartilage exposed and prepared become. The attending physician sets this small cracks into the cartilage tissue.

After this Ablation of the cartilage the skin surface is prepared accordingly and the Sutured wound. After putting on protruding ears according to Converse, the affected patient has to have one for several weeks special head bandage wear.

Patients who decide to perform this surgical method should note that many people develop unnatural, partly disfiguring cartilage edges and irregular depressions has come on the front of the ear. In addition, many patients report having long-term listening after the big ears severe pain had to suffer.

Furthermore, the operation belongs to Stenström one of the most common procedures for creating protruding ears. With this method, too, one must be placed directly behind the auricle long cut be set. In contrast to the operation according to Converse, however, here additionally the front of the ear cartilage exposed and dissected. In this way, the risk of unsightly indentations occurring on the front of the ear can be reduced many times over.

Even patients who decide to have their ears put on according to Stenström have to go through the surgical procedure a special head bandage for several weeks wear. Only in this way can the treatment result long term secured.

Other methods of creating protruding ears include surgery Pitanguy and the surgical procedure according to Mustardé. Even with the Mustardé operation, a long skin incision must be made behind the auricle and the cartilage tissue prepared accordingly. In contrast to the other surgical methods, the cartilage tissue is removed with this procedure not completely removed.

Modern surgical methods

The Thread method now belongs to the most popular method to put on protruding ears. she goes as gentle alternative to the traditional surgical methods for creating protruding ears.

For children with clearly protruding ears, it is advisable to already before the completion of the fifth year of life thinking about a surgical correction.

With the thread method for creating protruding ears, every expression of this feature effectively Getting corrected. Neither the thickness nor the hardness of the ear cartilage has any real influence on the later Treatment outcome. In addition, the thread method can be used to create protruding ears for any ear size be performed.

The actual creation of the ears is carried out with the thread method non-resolvable (non-absorbable), tear-resistant threadsthat are immediately unter the skin surface be set. With the help of these threads, the protruding ear or the Fold the auricle, in their natural form more curved become. The protruding ear gets so almost automatically in the right position.

The thread technique has the advantage of being able to bend the ears no long surgical cuts required are. For this reason, the procedure appears to the patient as less painful. In addition, the thread technique for putting on protruding ears clearly shows less risks on. It is less common in patients Infections and wound healing disorders. In addition, other misalignments of the ear can also be effectively remedied with the help of this procedure.

For people who, for example, have a too large ear canal entrance funnel (Cavum conchae), This can be done by the Displacement of the auricle fold in the direction of the entrance to the ear canal.

Another advantage of the thread technique for creating protruding ears is the fact that it can also be used without surgical incisions does not lead to unsightly scars can come. With the help of the thread technique lovely, natural looking auricles to form. Protruding ears that have been corrected with the help of the thread technique can no longer be seen after a while that they are operated on ears.

But also with this one novel process to put on protruding ears it can Complications come. Mainly allergic reactions to the one used Thread material are among the most feared risks. In the affected patients it comes from the increased immune response usually for rejection of the processed threads. Repelled threads must absolutely removed become. This is the only way to prevent an infection.

The creation of protruding ears by using the thread technique is usually outpatient, that means without hospitalization. With children who do ten years of age have not yet completed the procedure, the procedure should be performed under general anesthesia. In adolescents and adults, the ears can be put on using the thread technique under local anesthesia.

After the procedure, when using the thread technique, in contrast to the known traditional procedures, no head bandage be worn. People who have the big ears done in this way are usually already on The following day socially acceptable again.

Risks

At the Put on protruding ears regardless of the method chosen, it is one surgical intervention. Because of this, the occurrence of general complications surgical interventions come.

If the ears are put on under general anesthesia, it can become too Impairments to the cardiovascular system come. In addition, there is the risk of developing disturbances in the wound healing process in the area of ​​the surgical site when the ears are put on. Also the appearance of Infections after the procedure is not uncommon. In addition, when putting on the ears there is a risk that the surgical procedure not successful and this makes another operation necessary.

This can happen, especially with traditional methods early removal of the head bandage make sure the ears are back in the original location reach. After the surgical creation of the protruding ears, the Cooperation of the patient that's why indispensable.

In addition, depending on the selected surgical method, it can lead to the development of scar and Recoveries come. With the Converse procedure in particular, many patients develop unsightly indentations on the front of the ears. The reason for this is the lack of preparation of the cartilage in front of the ear.

costs

The coststhat result from surgical correction of protruding ears depend on various factors. Especially the individual position of the ears, the Extent of treatment and the Amount of consumables required are crucial for calculating the costs.

In addition, it must be noted that in addition to the Medical check-up, additional costs for the expenses for:

• the operating room
• the technical devices
• the Operation team
• the Surgeon
• and the Anesthetists attack.

Also the Follow-up examination costs must usually be borne by the patient himself.

In general, however, it can be assumed that the costs for the creation of protruding ears are comparative affordable framework move. Roughly, when putting on protruding ears in Germany, costs between 1,500 and 2,800 euros go out.

Patients who decide to have the surgical procedure in foreign countries to have carried out can be up to Save 70 percent of the costs. In this context, however, it is important to ensure that the chosen clinic certain standards corresponds. Especially in terms of the hygiene and the sterile work should No compromise To be received.

Furthermore, before performing this plastic-aesthetic operation, it should be remembered that through possible complications further costs may arise.

The statutory health insurance companies are not obliged to carry out treatment measures that become necessary due to cosmetic surgery. A special insurance complete that if necessary for this extra cost comes up. The cost of such insurance is on average one-time 80 euros.

At Toddlersears that have protruding ears may have a Assumption of costs be possible through the statutory health insurance. For this reason, parents of affected children should contact the responsible health insurance company and describe the situation.

In general, a full assumption of costs by the health insurance, the more likely it is, the younger the affected child is. It can be assumed that the cost of flaring ears in children who have the sixth year of life not yet completed usually have to be worn completely. With children who do twelfth year of life have not yet completed mostly shares the costs incurred.