EAR SURGERY

The Pre-Operative Period
It is imperative that patients refrain from ingesting any medications or other substances that could potentially be the cause of surgical complications. A list of medications should be reviewed and discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to operation. Patients are seen just prior to their surgery date for a general physical examination to ensure that no underlying medical problems exist that may interfere with the safety of their surgery. Specifically, any infections that arise prior to operation, however seemingly trivial, should be reported to our office. Even an otherwise innocent infection can result in a surgical wound infection and must be treated prior to surgery.

A prescription for both pain medication and antibiotics will be written so that you have your medication when you return home from the operation.

Pre-operative photographs are taken so that you can see the improvement from your surgery afterwards. We generally take post-operative photographs at 3 to 6 months after your procedure. You will be asked to sign a surgical consent which enumerates the risks of the procedure in detail. These risks have been explained here, but are also discussed at the consultation.

You will need to arrange for an escort to drive you to and from the surgery center. Patients cannot operate motor vehicles after surgery, and we will not place recently sedated patients into taxis for transport home. We can arrange for medical transportation in the event that you cannot find an escort. It is mandatory to have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery for your comfort and safety.

The Day of Surgery
Dr. Parson places markings on the skin of your ear prior to the operation. An intravenous line is placed and medication is given to you to provide sedation during the procedure in the form of a general anesthetic, administered by an anesthesiologist.

The skin is then raised off of the back of the ear and this allows a small file to be passed to the front of the ear which is used to gently score the cartilage where the fold is to be created. After making markings in the cartilage, stitches are placed through the back of the ear cartilage without going all the way through the front of the ear. After a series of these sutures are placed, they are tied down, thus creating a folding of the ear to create the normal contour. Dr. Parson can make the fold more or less severe, depending on how tightly he ties down these stitches. At this point, if the bowl (concha) of the ear needs to be tilted back, this is done. Any adjustments to the earlobe are made, and the skin is then closed with a self-absorbing suture. A lightly compressive ear dressing is placed and your head is wrapped to hold it in place.

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