Otoplasty in Tunisia: what is the operation of protruding ears in Tunisia?
Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery of the face. It is an operation to reattach the ears. It can be a reconstructive or cosmetic surgery. It is usually performed on both ears, and very rarely unilateral. Ear surgery in Tunisia aims to correct a malformation or anomalies located in the cartilage of the ear. These abnormalities are responsible for the “protruding” appearance:
- A hypertrophy of the concha. This abnormality manifests itself in the form of an excessive angulation between the auricle and the skull, causing the ear to become detached.
- A bulky concha projecting the ear forward.
- A defect of folding of the anthelix and an absence of the usual reliefs of the cartilage. This gives the ear a too smooth and unfolded appearance.
Although otoplasty can be considered as early as age 7, it is rarely performed before adulthood.
What is otoplasty?
Otoplasty is sometimes called cosmetic ear surgery. It is performed on the visible part of the outer ear, called the auricle.
The auricle consists of folds of cartilage that are covered by skin. This part begins to develop before birth and continues to develop in the years after birth.
If your auricle is not developing properly, you may choose to have otoplasty to correct the size, positioning or shape of your ears.
There are several types of otoplasty Tunisia:
Ear Augmentation. Some people may have small ears or ears that have not fully developed. In these cases, they may want to have otoplasty to increase the size of their outer ear.
Ear pinning. This type of otoplasty involves moving the ears closer to the head. It is performed on individuals whose ears protrude well beyond the sides of the head.
Ear reduction. This procedure is performed when your ears are larger than normal. People with macrotia may choose to have otoplasty to reduce the size of their ears.
Cost of Otoplasty in Tunisia
| Procedure | Cost | Stay in Tunis |
|---|---|---|
| Otoplasty | Check cost here | After the surgeon’s diagnosis |
Otoplasty is a cosmetic or restorative surgery to pin back prominent ears, but also to correct other ear deformities. Although this surgery can be performed in adulthood, patients can undergo otoplasty as early as age 7. This procedure is used to reshape both ears, but can also be done on just one side.
Otoplasty corrects cartilage abnormalities of the pinna (external ear) that cause ears to ”protrude”. There are 3 types of deformities somewhat related to each other:
- An angle between the pinna and the head that is too large (hypertrophy of the concha of the auricle) causes real protrusion;
- A too large concha projecting ears too far forward (cup ears);
- The absence of the natural cartilage folds and ridges (defect of the antihelix or shell ears) which give the auricle an unfolded shape. This procedure corrects these anomalies by reshaping the cartilage to obtain symmetrical detached ears of natural size and appearance.
Otoplasty Tunisia: what you need to know before undergoing cosmetic ear surgery
The first step in otoplasty surgery in Tunisia is the pre-operative assessment. The plastic surgeon asks you questions about your general health. He or she will then evaluate your ears to determine the abnormality and the type of surgery you need. Afterwards, he or she will discuss your expectations with you to see if they are realistic or not. He or she will also tell you about the risks and inform you of the recovery time and cost of the procedure.
How is ear surgery performed in Tunisia?
Ear surgery in Tunisia is performed under local or general anesthesia (in the case of a child). The hospitalization is ambulatory. The operation lasts between 1 hour and 1h30.
The skin incisions are generally located in the retroauricular groove, on the back of the ear. Sometimes small additional incisions are made on the front of the auricle. All incisions are hidden in natural folds to avoid future scarring.
The skin is then peeled away to access the cartilage and proceed to cartilage remodeling. The purpose of cartilage remodeling is to improve the natural relief by refining and folding. Finally, the pinna is brought back to its proper position and fixed with fine deep sutures.
The bandage is attached to the head with elastic bands so that the ears are held in the correct position.
Postoperative follow-up of otoplasty in Tunisia
- Post-operative pain is generally moderate. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to help reduce them.
- There is usually an edema after this type of plastic surgery. Bruising may also occur. The sutures are absorbed spontaneously after a few weeks.
- A large helmet-type dressing must be worn for 24 hours in this type of surgery. It is then replaced by a bandage that must be worn day and night during the first two weeks, then only at night during the third week.
- The ears may look a little too stuck on during the first few days. This is not a cause for concern, as it is completely normal after an ear operation in Tunisia. It is after a few weeks that the ears take their final position.
*Disclaimer: Results may vary from one person to another depending on the morphology of the patient.
