What is a flap ear?

It is the name for the condition when human ear has an above normal angle with the head. In fact, underdeveloped curvatures on the upper half of the ear are also among the features of flap ear.

What is the most appropriate age for flap ear surgery?

Flap ear operations can be done at any age after the age of 5-6. Surgery before this age is not recommended as children do not complete their cartilage development until this age. 

How is the operation carried out?

General anesthesia is used in children while it is possible to use only local anesthesia in adults. Because the operation is done with an incision at the back of the ear, no visible scar remains. Usually the ear is reshaped using stitches to make folds on the cartilage in order to form ear curvatures and/or stitches to move the ear cartilage closer to the ear.

How is the recovery period after the operation?

Usually, the patients can return home on the same day. There may be mild tingling for a few day and oral pain killers would be sufficient to take care of it. The aesthetic bandage placed during the surgery would be removed one week later and the patient wears the hair band used by tennis players during the following 2 weeks. The stitches at the back of the ear would be removed on the 10th day. It can take 2-3 weeks for the bruises and swellings on the ear to heal.

What are some undesirable conditions that might occur after the surgery?

Bleeding and infection risks that are true for every surgery are true for this type of surgery as well. Both should be treated effectively and in a timely manner. Aesthetic problems include; asymmetry, ears being too close to the head and recurrence of ear deformation.