Best Ear Surgeons in Turkey

What is ear surgery?

Ear surgery, medically called otoplasty, reshapes the cartilage of the outer ear to correct its position against the head or its shape. The most common reason is prominent ears. A prominent ear usually comes from an underdeveloped natural fold in the ear (the antihelix) or a deep ear bowl (the concha). As a result the ear stands out clearly from the side of the head.

Otoplasty involves only the outer ear and does not touch the middle or inner ear, so it is not expected to affect hearing. Besides prominent ears, large ears, a folded upper rim and torn or stretched earlobes are also treated within ear surgery. Prominent ears are not a health problem; surgery is a personal or family choice, and a child's own view should be taken seriously.

How is ear surgery performed?

Ear surgery is performed through an incision behind the ear, which gives access to the cartilage to create the missing fold or reduce the ear bowl. The surgeon can fold the cartilage with permanent stitches, thin it or remove part of it. The technique depends on how stiff the cartilage is and what causes the prominence.

1. The examination measures the distance of the ears from the head, the folds and any difference between the two ears.
2. In children, the operation is usually done under general anaesthesia.
3. In adults, local anaesthesia with sedation if needed may be enough.
4. The incision is placed in the natural crease behind the ear and the cartilage is shaped.
5. The incisions are closed and the ears are wrapped in a soft dressing.

The operation usually takes one to two hours. Both ears are usually treated in the same session, but surgery can be done on one side only if just one ear is affected.

What should you do before ear surgery?

Tell your surgeon about all the medicines you take, since blood thinners and some painkillers can increase bleeding. The surgeon decides whether any should be stopped. A button-up or zip-up top on the day of surgery makes dressing easier with bandaged ears.

Who is a good candidate for ear surgery, and at what age can it be done?

Ear surgery is considered for children whose ear growth is largely complete and for adults. The ear reaches most of its adult size around the age of five or six, so surgery for prominent ears can be done before or in the first years of school. In the first weeks after birth, ear cartilage is still soft, and non-surgical moulding with special splints may be tried. The surgeon decides on suitability after an examination. These situations need extra assessment:

• Active infection in or around the ear
• Frequent middle ear infections
• A tendency to keloids or thick scars
• A bleeding disorder
• A child who does not want surgery or cannot cope with the dressing period

For children, the decision should take the child's own wishes into account. Parental consent is required for patients under 18.

How long does recovery take after ear surgery?

Most people return to school or work within about a week. The dressing usually stays on for the first few days. After that, an elastic headband is worn for several weeks, mainly at night, to stop the ear from folding during sleep.

Pain, swelling and tenderness are common in the first days. Reduced sensation around the ear can last a few weeks. Contact sports and activities that risk a blow to the ear are usually postponed for several weeks. The scar sits in the natural crease behind the ear, so it is usually not visible.

Are the results of ear surgery permanent?

The new shape given to the cartilage is usually permanent. In some people the cartilage tends to spring back, and the ear may partly stand out again over time, which may need a revision. Wearing the headband for the advised period and protecting the ear from knocks early on help keep the result.

What are the risks of ear surgery?

The risks include blood collection, infection, asymmetry and the ear standing out again. They can be listed as follows:

• Blood collection under the skin (haematoma), which needs to be caught early
• Cartilage infection
• Asymmetry between the two ears
• The ear partly returning to its old position
• Over-correction, with the ear looking pinned too close to the head
• Permanent stitches showing through the skin or working their way out
• A thick scar or keloid behind the ear
• Changes in sensation around the ear

If pain in one ear keeps increasing, there is bleeding under the dressing or you develop a fever after surgery, contact your surgeon straight away.

How do the types of ear surgery differ?

Types of ear surgery differ according to which part of the ear needs correcting. Prominent ears are treated with otoplasty, while a torn earring hole or a stretched earlobe may need only a smaller procedure, usually under local anaesthesia.

What affects the cost of ear surgery?

The cost depends on whether one or both ears are treated and on the type of anaesthesia. Price ranges are shown in a separate section of this page. The main factors are:

• One-sided or two-sided surgery
• General or local anaesthesia
• Additional procedures such as earlobe repair
• Revision of a previous otoplasty
• Follow-up visits and the headband
• The city where the facility is located

The exact fee is set after an examination and a written treatment plan.

How do you choose a surgeon for ear surgery?

Look for a surgeon from a specialty experienced in ear surgery. In Turkey, otoplasty is performed by specialists in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery and by ENT specialists. For children, an anaesthesiologist experienced in paediatric anaesthesia should be part of the team. You can ask:

• What is the surgeon's specialty certification and otoplasty experience?
• Which technique will be used for the cause of the prominence?
• What type of anaesthesia is planned, and who is the anaesthesia team for children?
• How long will the dressing and headband be needed?
• What happens if the ear stands out again?
• Which licensed healthcare facility will the operation take place in?

You can compare surgeons who perform ear surgery on DoktorNo by city.