Deformity of the ears is among the commonest
visible birth defects in children. This
problem varies in complexity and often remains
unrepaired into adulthood, especially with
the current reluctance of "managed-care"
plans to underwrite the cost of appropriate
surgery. Often typified by failure of the
outer rim of the ear to fold back toward
the scalp during fetal development, this
defect results in outward protrusion of
the ears, and thus undue prominence. This
ear deformity often results in taunts by
other children, and is thus thought to best
be repaired before a child enters school.
The surgical procedure to repair protruding
ears is best done under general anesthesia
in young children, but can be easily be
carried out under local anesthesia, with
or without sedation, in teen and adult patients.
Surgical repair involves exposing and reshaping
the deformed ear cartilages, creating the
missing ear folds, and positioning the ears
in proper location adjacent to the mastoid
bones of the skull. A special contour-conforming
ear-dressing is used for about 5-7 days
post-op to prevent disruption of the repair,
and a protective head-band is recommended
for six weeks to protect the repair and
allow it to stabilize.
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