How To Prepare a Child For Otoplasty

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Some children are born with prominent ears, which protrude a bit farther away from the head. These can make them self-conscious or downright embarrassed, and they may have to endure teasing at school because of their ears. Otoplasty is a cosmetic ear surgery that seeks to change the position, shape, or size of the ears.

Also known as “ear pinning,” otoplasty reduces the size of large ears or pins them back when they protrude too far from one’s head. This procedure is recommended to be done as early as possible – the younger one is, the easier to shape the cartilage of the ear. Here are some tips to prepare a child patient for the surgery.

Review medical history: Be prepared to answer the doctor’s questions about the child’s current as well as past medical conditions, particularly any ear infections. Disclose any medications taken recently as well.

Be open and honest about what’s going to happen: Discuss the procedure with the child and let them know what to expect from the surgery. The surgeon can also sit down with the parent and child before the surgery to go over any questions. This will quell the child’s anxiety about the operation.

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Offer an incentive: Have the child look forward to something. Offer their favorite toy or ice cream before the surgery, and tell them it’s something they can have after the surgery is over and they’re in recovery.

Explain the recovery process: Tell the child that once the bandages are removed, the change in the ears’ appearance will be permanent and immediately seen. Note that they would have to stay in bed for a couple of days and take time to heal.

Dr. Adam Stein of Raleigh, NC, is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon with more than two decades of surgical experience behind him. More articles liket this here.