Ear plastic surgery or otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that changes the size, position, or degree of fit of the ears. The results of ear reshaping surgery vary greatly depending on the changes desired and according to each patient’s condition, but these procedures generally improve self-confidence, especially in children and adolescents.
If the ears are blocked, ear pinning can be performed to flatten the ears on the head. If one ear is positioned higher than the other, repositioning the ear can create the desired symmetry. Large ear can be treated alone or in combination with other ear problems.
Otoplasty, also referred to as ear pinning or ear reshaping, is an effective procedure for those trying to correct congenital or cosmetic defects. It is one of the oldest plastic surgery procedures in the world with origins dating back to 600 BC, and also one of the most common and safest procedures.
Otoplasty in Turkey is a simple procedure that usually takes between 45 minutes and an hour.
The procedure starts with an incision along the skin crease where the ear fuses to the head. In some cases, if an individual has an enlarged ear, where the ear is larger than normal, the cartilage and skin are cut to achieve the desired appearance.
Most otoplasty procedures in Turkey are performed with the intent of correcting an overly prominent ear shape, which affects approximately 5% of the world’s population. For those who have an enlarged ear or a difference in the size of the ears, ear reconstruction is done. For individuals undergoing ear reshaping, the cartilage is cut into a more desirable shape and held in place with permanent sutures. With ear pinning, the cartilage is not removed at all but the ear is pinned back to hold the cartilage in its new location.
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What is otoplasty surgery?
Ear correction surgery or otoplasty in Turkey is usually with the aim of moving a prominent ear close to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Surgery can also change the large or stretched earlobe or lobe with large creases and creases that affect this area, which leads to a poor appearance in the proportions of the head. The surgeon can build new ears for people who were born without them or who have been lost due to injury or accident, but this process requires more effort and careful cosmetic experience.
Other ear problems that can be treated with surgery include:
- Small ear: when the tip appears to be too compressed or too stuck to the side of the head
- Concave ear: It is a very small ear that appears distorted or without an acceptable appearance
- Dropped ear: when the curve in the outer edge as well as the natural folds and creases are absent.
Plastic surgery is mostly performed on children between the ages of four and 14. The operation is usually done for psychological reasons on children to reduce the chance of the child being bullied or teased. Otoplasty in adults is also possible and there are no additional risks associated with ear surgery in adults.
The surgeon will provide comprehensive instructions before otoplasty in Turkey, answer any questions you may have, a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery such as otoplasty. If your doctor asks you to undergo pre-operative tests, make sure you schedule a good appointment before the procedure.
Before the operation, your surgeon will ask you to follow some basic instructions:
Preparing for otoplasty in Turkey
- Stop smoking at least six weeks before the surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid taking aspirin, some anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medicines, as this can cause increased bleeding.
- Regardless of the type of surgery to be performed, hydration is very important before and after surgery for a safe recovery.
- Practice good skin care. Rinse the skin around the ear with warm water and use sunscreen.
Eating well, reducing stress and exercising regularly are important to make sure you are well prepared for otoplasty. You should also plan ahead for your recovery period after your procedure by taking time off from work and making sure you have everything you need close by during recovery.
It will be necessary to refrain from eating and drinking the night before the surgery if the anesthesia that the patient will receive is a general anesthesia. It is preferable for the patient to eat a light meal in the evening, then stop completely and enter a state of fasting in order to prepare to receive anesthesia safely before the operation.
The appropriate age for otoplasty in Turkey
It is possible to start ear plastic surgery procedures in Turkey from a young age for children over the age of four in case they need immediate surgical intervention. In some cases, children need surgical intervention to reshape the ear or to reduce some structural problems in the appearance of the ear, which may cause many psychological problems for them.
Turkiyaholidays Center targets children at a young age who suffer from problems of ear formation, blockage, or lack of ear structure, as well as birth defects. The center allocates specialized pediatricians and psychiatrists to deal with young people who need special care so that the effects of the operation do not affect their psychological state in any way.
As for adults and the elderly, the situation is relatively different. This type of patient needs care based on cosmetic goals rather than health goals, as many adults seek to reduce large and prominent ears or restore lost symmetry to the ears. Cosmetic goals may not be the most important goals of adult patients from otoplasty in Turkey, but also sometimes for health goals such as improving hearing or providing better hearing capabilities for people who complain of problems due to ear pinna.
The good candidate for otoplasty in Turkey
The best candidates for otoplasty in Turkey are children between the ages of 4 and 14. Children who have ear cartilage are very flexible, which can be easily reshaped. Plastic surgeries are usually recommended at the youngest age possible to avoid the low self-esteem and self-consciousness that can result from persevering in an inappropriate setting at school for children of that age.
While adults can also enjoy the benefits of ear pinning or reshaping, adult ear cartilage is harder and therefore not easily reshaped. However, adults can still enjoy excellent results as a result of the surgery.
If you have any of the following concerns about your ears, you may benefit from otoplasty in Turkey:
- Excessive protrusion or enlargement of the ear
- The ear is so long that it does not fit the size of the face
- Miscellaneous ear infections
- deformed ears
- Disproportionately small ears
- Ears disproportionate to the rest of the face
Booking a consultation with a surgeon is the best way to determine if you are a good candidate for otoplasty and how the surgery can help you improve your overall appearance. Turkiyaholidays Center provides a free consultation for all patients so that they can learn about all aspects of the procedure and determine their suitability for this procedure.
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How to perform otoplasty in Turkey
On the day of surgery you will be asked not to take anything by mouth, including any food. You should only drink the minimum amount of water needed to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth and anything more than this could result in the surgery being cancelled. Wear comfortable clothes on the day of your procedure so you don’t have to refit again.
Ear surgery can be performed in an accredited hospital such as Turkiyaholidays Hospitals in one day and discharge after if the condition is stable:
- Medications are administered for your convenience during otoplasty so that you do not feel any pain or discomfort.
- General anesthesia is common during otoplasty, although local anesthesia or intravenous sedation may be appropriate in some cases.
- To keep you safe during surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- The surgeon will strictly follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery and how to implement it.
- After the otoplasty is complete, you will be taken to the recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored to ensure that all vital activities are proceeding according to plan.
Your doctor will likely let you go home after a short observation period unless there are any special plans for an immediate postoperative recovery. In children, the cartilage is soft enough that splints can be used to step aside during surgery. This is usually done under general anesthesia. But adults have stronger cartilage, and the procedure must be performed by removing or repositioning the cartilage after making a small incision in the ear. In general, otoplasty proceeds according to several steps, including:
- The skin fold behind the ear is cut to expose the underlying cartilage.
- The surgeon removes the excess cartilage by curettage or excision.
- In some cases the cartilage is reshaped by various means.
- The surgeon may reshape the cartilage by folding it back and placing it in its new location.
- Incisions and cuts are closed with permanent sutures or dissolving sutures.
Depending on the anatomy and desired changes, your doctor may make an incision hidden inside or behind the ear. Excess cartilage or soft tissue that causes the ear to stick out too much can be removed. If the natural folds of the ear are missing, they can be recreated by shaping the cartilage with permanent sutures or scraping the cartilage to define it. Sometimes a combination of techniques is needed to get the desired result. Ear plastic surgery in Turkey takes from one to three hours, depending on the degree of complexity and the required changes.
Otoplasty cost in Turkey
Otoplasty in Turkey is a surgical procedure that often calls for an individualized treatment plan to suit the patient’s needs. As a result, costs vary depending on the type of ear surgery performed, whether it be otoplasty, reconstruction, reshaping, or fixation. The best way to get an idea of what you can expect to pay is by booking a consultation with a specialist surgeon at Turkiyaholidays.
In 2018, the average cost of otoplasty, reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, was about $3,100. However, this fee only reflects the surgeon’s fee. Overall, you may end up paying around $5,000-7,000 when all additional expenses are included.
What is important in this matter is the cost of otoplasty in Turkey, as it is one of the best countries that provide high-quality services at much lower prices than other countries. Perhaps you will not find a lower cost than Turkey in the entire Middle East, since it is the only country that encourages medical tourism in huge numbers and the government also stands to support these activities in various forms.
Millions of tourists flock to Turkey annually looking for plastic surgeries of all kinds, as well as patients who want to get distinguished medical services. Patients trust Turkish doctors because they cannot practice any specialized medical activity such as otoplasty before obtaining an appropriate license from the regional association and the international association in the same specialty so that the practice of these sensitive activities does not raise any problems or consequences.
You may find the costs of otoplasty in Turkey lower than expected, not only because of the medical tourism attractions, but the matter is more complicated. Huge numbers of doctors flock to the country, which makes competition great. It is known that the greater the competition in any field, the lower the cost imposed on the customer accordingly. Otoplasty procedures in Turkey differ in terms of the type of procedure, the complexity of the patient’s individual case, and the ability of the ear cartilage to shape and restructure.
| Procedure type | lower cost | higher cost | Duration of stay |
| Ear reduction | $1,700 | $2,200 | one day |
| Ear enlargement | $1,800 | $2,300 | one day |
| Restructuring | 2000 dollars | $2,500 | 2-3 days |
| Correction of symmetry and position | 2000 dollars | $2,300 | tow days |
Turkiyaholidays Center provides all surgical capabilities and skills to patients undergoing otoplasty in Turkey. The center provides special care for pediatric patients, as there is an integrated medical team consisting of a pediatrician and a psychologist to ensure that the child enjoys a wonderful experience that makes him not feel any psychological or physical changes.
The center also provides all additional services such as initial consultation and aftercare until full recovery without any additional fees for the patient. Our patients will not need to exhaust themselves in booking a hotel, providing a means of transportation, or even booking airline tickets if the patient is from outside Turkey, because we provide all these services so that our patients do not suffer from problems during the operation.
After otoplasty surgery in Turkey
Recovery after any surgical procedure depends largely on the type of surgery you had, your general health and flexibility. Your surgeon will determine how long you should expect to return to your work and daily activities. You will also be informed about postoperative care, the normal symptoms you may experience, and the warning signs that may indicate complications.
Immediately after your procedure, you will be moved to the post-operative recovery area where you will be carefully monitored. Most people who have otoplasty in Turkey are allowed to go home after a short observation period, usually a few hours after the procedure.
In some cases, such as ear reconstruction procedures, the surgeon may recommend only an overnight stay in the hospital. When you are cleared to be discharged from the medical center, you may be sent home with medication that reduces the chance of infection.
It’s important to have a caregiver or friend who can drive you home from surgery because you may still feel shiver from the anesthesia, or feel uncomfortable when the pain eases. In the first twenty-four hours after surgery, it can be very helpful to have someone nearby who can help you if needed.
During the first week of recovery, regular rest is imperative. Rest and sleep allow the restorative body time to heal. Experts recommend resting in a supine position, but with your head elevated. Avoid resting it on the ear that has been treated as this will lead to throbbing and discomfort. Moving around is important to keep the blood flowing.
Dressings and drainage after otoplasty
A large bandage will be placed over the ear or ears in the operating room, and before you go home you will be given specific instructions on how to care for them, especially while you sleep. Bandages generally consist of packing with cotton or tape that has been dipped in an antiseptic or antibiotic to prevent infection. The bandage also helps support and immobilize the newly improved ear contour.
Changing the dressings will require regular hygiene changes, allowing the ear to be checked for hematomas and drained if necessary. The dressing will be changed on the first day or two after surgery, and then at least once during the first week after otoplasty. For some patients, a drainage port will be left at the incision site to collect any excess secretions and remove them the day after surgery. If you have bleeding, your surgeon will explain how to take care of it.
Bandages and stitches are usually removed seven or eight days after surgery. In some cases, the sutures used to bind the wound are absorbable sutures that will dissolve on their own. The bandage is quickly replaced by a sports headband, which should be worn continuously for the first week after surgery, and then only during the night for the next 4 to 6 weeks to prevent accidental exposure to the ear.
You may shower once you replace the bandage with the sports band, but you should always replace the bandage after showering. Your surgeon may also instruct you to apply an ointment to the wound to prevent scarring from developing.
Otoplasty results in Turkey
Patients who underwent otoplasty in Turkey generally have a high satisfaction rate. A 2017 study published in an academic journal followed 36 people of different ages and genders to understand how otoplasty affected their lives. The researchers found that the vast majority were happy with their results, and had a better quality of life as a result of the procedure.
Although your final results will be visible once the bandages are removed, a newly improved or pinned ear will take from several months to one year to settle into its final position. You should expect some minor changes to occur during the healing process.
Many surgeons warn their patients that some residual variation may persist even after surgery, and that this is actually normal. Most people who have not undergone otoplasty in Turkey generally show some degree of asymmetry in their ears. The asymmetry is often undetectable to the naked eye and lasts until a certain period until the ear heals and the expected consistency is obtained.
To maintain beautiful and healthy results after otoplasty, it is important to stay in touch with your surgeon, and to attend any scheduled follow-ups if you notice any changes in your ears.