Otoplasty is a surgery aimed at both adults and children for the correction of prominent ears. Different surgical guidelines, depending on the initial defect, lead to a variation in the surgical approach. 

Usually the approach is at the back of the ears in order to hide the aesthetic scar. The technique involves reshaping the cartilage which, only in some cases, can be reduced and partially removed. The consultation with Dr. Tommaso Battistella will shed light on the results you can obtain and with what type of procedure.

 

Pre-operative recommendations

It is advisable not to schedule surgery immediately before or during the menstrual period. Inform the surgeon of any treatment with drugs such as: cortisone, antihypertensive, contraceptive, hypoglycemic, anticoagulant, cardioactive or tranquilizing drugs, etc. Stop taking medications containing acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Ascriptin, Bufferin, Cemerit, Vivin C, etc.) at least 10 days before surgery. Patients being treated with oral contraceptives are advised to stop taking them one month before surgery. It is necessary to abstain from smoking (active and passive) for at least two weeks before surgery (the incidence of complications is 10 times higher in patients who smoke). The onset of colds, sore throats, coughs and skin diseases should be flagged. Should there be a need to take any drug not reported during the anesthetic interview, inform immediately Dr. Battistella to assess its use. Do not eat or drink from midnight the day before: fasting is required. 

The day of the surgery 

Wash your hair, carefully remove any make-up from the entire face, paying particular attention to removing mascara from the eyelashes. 

Bring to the clinic: 

- Original pre-operative examination reports. 

- Clothing: 

• wear comfortable clothes; 
• a not particularly tight T-shirt; 
• cotton linen (underwear and socks); 
• practical clothes to wear during your stay in the clinic; 
• a pair of slippers. 

- Payment of the procedure - The payment for the procedure must be received on the day of the surgery: 

• by cash; 
• by check 

Accommodation in the clinic includes a single or double room depending on the number of surgeries on the day and departmental needs. Therefore, in order to avoid disturbing those who have just undergone surgery, only one visitor / partner per person is allowed. 

After the rhytidectomy surgery 

Do not remove the rigid containment bandage until the next check-up. 

Approximately 24 hours after surgery, an evident periorbital edema with bluish bruising often occurs, which will slowly disappear spontaneously. To accelerate the resolution of this phenomenon it is recommended to sleep with at least two pillows behind the head to maintain a tilted position. 

Do not smoke for at least seven days to avoid coughing that could lead to possible bleeding. Do not wash your hair during the first week. 

When needed, wash the nasal cavities with sea water spray solutions such as “Tonimer”. 

Any sports activities can be resumed after 3 weeks as long as they do not expose to possible trauma of the nose. 

For at least a month, do not wear glasses with heavy frames, do not expose to the sun or intense heat (e.g. sauna). 

For a few weeks, after the removal of the containment dressing, avoid exposing yourself to the risk of direct trauma to the nose by, for example, playing with large animals, picking up children or frequenting very crowded places, and blow your nose gently without squeezing it excessively. The patient will have to carry out check-ups at Dr. Battistella’s office as per specific guidelines. After the first consultations deemed appropriate by the professional, the patient will have to come for a check-up after one month, three months, six months and one year from the operation. A post-operative check-up is to be performed on an annual basis to check on the progress of the result over time. The post-operative check-up is of high importance for the successful outcome of the surgery and it is therefore necessary. 

Don’ts

- Removal of the rigid dressing until the next check-up.

- Wetting the dressing.

- Weight lifting (e.g. children or shopping bags) for the first 20 days. 

- Taking acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) drugs for the first 20 days. 

- Wearing glasses with heavy frames for at least a month.

Dos

- Absolute rest during the first week. 

- Scrupulously following the prescribed pharmacological therapy. 

- Sleeping on your back (belly up) and with your head raised (by placing two pillows under the mattress) for the first two weeks. 

- Resuming sporting activities gradually after 1 month.

- Blowing your nose gently without squeezing it too much.