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← Facial Aesthetic

PROMINENT EAR AESTHETICS.

The ear, one of our sensory organs that enables communication, consists of the outer, middle, and inner ear, with the pinna (auricle) being part of the outer ear. The other parts are located within the skull. The pinna, with its folds and structural forms, gathers sounds from the environment, concentrates sound waves, directs them into the ear canal, and protects the middle and inner ear from sudden loud noises, dust, and dirt. Besides these functions, the aesthetic appearance of the pinna is also significant. The pinna, located on both sides of the head, directly affects the appearance of the face. Ears that are excessively large, small, or asymmetrical can disrupt facial symmetry and create an undesirable appearance.

Normally, the distance between the outer edge of the earlobe and the head should not exceed 2 cm, and the angle between the pinna and the head should not be more than 20 degrees for women and 25 degrees for men. The size of the pinna is usually normal and proportional to the size of the skull.

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When the angle between the pinna and the head exceeds 20/25 degrees, causing the ear to protrude forward and/or sideways, resulting in a disproportionately large appearance of the ear relative to the face, this condition is known as “Prominent Ear.” This is the most common ear shape abnormality and is referred to in various cultures as “sail ear,” “basket ear,” “cup ear,” or “bat ear.” It can occur in one or both ears. Otoplasty surgeries can be performed unilaterally or bilaterally. General anesthesia is usually preferred for children, while local anesthesia or sedation can be used for older children and adults. There are numerous techniques described for otoplasty surgery. Some involve shaping the cartilage with stitches, some perform procedures to facilitate the molding of the cartilage, and others involve partial removal of the cartilage.

In younger patients, where the cartilage is more pliable, shaping the pinna with stitches is more commonly preferred, while other techniques may be necessary in older patients. In cases where the problem is due to overdeveloped conchal cartilage, some cartilage may need to be removed. Otoplasty is generally considered a low-risk operation. The most common issues seen shortly after surgery are hematoma formation (accumulation of blood) and infection.

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