
Protruding ears are the most common malformation of the ears. Even if this is not a disease or there is no functional impairment of hearing, the so-called “sail ears” can be an enormous psychological burden for children and adults due to teasing and ridicule. The malformation of the auricle can, however, be quickly remedied by a simple surgical intervention and help affected people to gain more self-esteem.
Around five percent of the population are affected by protruding ears. Usually it is a congenital deformation of the elastic ear cartilage. The anthelix – the main furrow of the auricle – is only weakly developed or is completely absent.
There are different methods for putting on the ears. Otopexy, also called ear placement plastic, is a proven surgical procedure in which the attending physician uses a cut behind the ear to gain access to the cartilage and reshape it to bring the ear into the desired position. The cartilage is fastened with transparent threads. In order to achieve a symmetrical appearance, it is advisable to always adjust both ears, even if there is only a one-sided malformation.
Since sailing ears can lead to feelings of inferiority and serious psychological problems already in childhood, it can make sense to perform otopexy before the child starts school. The operation can be carried out from the age of five to six years – provided the child agrees. In adults, ear correction is possible at any age.
Ear correction should always be carried out by an experienced plastic surgeon. A detailed personal consultation is used to provide information about the details of medical treatment and to clarify possible risks. The patient then has sufficient time to receive answers to questions that remain unanswered.
To avoid rebleeding, around one to two weeks before the operation, blood-thinning painkillers should not be taken and nicotine and alcohol consumption should be severely restricted. A rest period of around seven days should be planned for after the operation.
The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis by Dr. med. Thomas Feldhaus, specialist for plastic and aesthetic surgery, performed in Fulda or Frankfurt and usually takes about an hour. The operation is performed under local anesthesia and accompanied by anesthesiological support. A head bandage must be worn for about a week after the operation. The threads are pulled after 10 days and the patient is now socially acceptable again. When lying and sleeping, a soft headband should be put on for another three months – this prevents the earmuffs from kinking
Putting on sail ears is a comparatively small intervention that involves extremely low risks. In order to minimize complications during the operation as much as possible, one should rely on the competence of a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery.
Immediately after putting on the sail ears, pain in the auricles can occur, which is relieved by taking pain-relieving medication and quickly regress. To avoid twisting, caution is advised during the first few weeks when washing your hair. During this period, strenuous sporting activities and a visit to the swimming pool and sauna should be avoided. It is advisable for people who wear glasses to temporarily use contact lenses so that they do not strain the cartilage.
The ears are still touch-sensitive and swollen for some time. After two to three months, the swelling has completely subsided and the final ear shape can now be seen. Since the surgery is performed with a cut hidden behind the ear, the scar is not visible in everyday life.
Since the operation to put on protruding ears is generally a purely aesthetic measure, the health insurance does not cover all or part of the costs.
The cost of a sail ear surgery depends on the individual case. As part of the personal consultation, we will of course draw up a binding individual offer for ear correction in our practices in Fulda or Frankfurt.
We are also happy to help our patients if they want to share the costs of the aesthetic correction. A financing company offers the option of paying the doctor’s bill in convenient monthly installments.
Even if the operation is a routine procedure, the expertise of an experienced plastic surgeon should not be underestimated in order to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result in ear correction. Dr. med. Thomas Feldhaus is a recognized specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery with many years of experience as a chief physician. With a lot of passion for his demanding job and a high sense of responsibility, Dr. Feldhaus uses its extensive medical expertise to serve its patients.
In addition to extensive information, this also includes extensive personal advice taking into account the patient’s individual wishes and expectations.
Dr. med. Feldhaus also meet its high quality standards after the operation: 24-hour care by the competent practice team is just as natural as the permanent medical readiness in the house.
We would be happy to take the time for a personal consultation – talk to us!
Fulda
+49 (0) 661 / 94 269 26Frankfurt
+49 (0) 69 / 92 03 89 91Emergency Number +49 (0) 152 / 2167 8414
„Als Kundin habe ich mich in meiner ganzen Persönlichkeit ernst genommen gefühlt. Hier konnte ich der Kompetenz der Ärztin ganz...”
Schönheitsoperation
„Nach einem informativen und umfangreichen Beratungstermin mit Frau Dr. David habe ich mich für eine Kryolipolyse Behandlung des Ober- und...”
Kryolipolyse
„Super Team und super Ärztin. Ich habe mich sehr wohlgefühlt und freue mich immer auf die Nachuntersuchungen meiner Brustvergrößerung! Ich...”
Brustvergrößerung
„Freundlich und definitiv darauf bedacht die passende Behandlung zu finden. Sie ist sehr kompetent, zuverlässig, zuvorkommend und verständnisvoll. Fr. Dr....”
Schönheitsoperation
„Ich habe mich sehr wohl bei Frau Dr. David gefühlt und dem ganzen Team. Ich habe mich im Gesicht behandeln...”
Anti Aging Behandlung
„Anfang August 2017 wurde eine Ober/Unterlid-OP durchgeführt und ich bin bestens zufrieden. Genaue Aufklärung - problemlose OP – beste Nachsorge...”
Korrektur - Augenlied
„Ich habe im Dezember eine Brustvergrößerung bekommen und das Ergebnis ist einfach nur fantastisch. Herr Dr. Feldhaus hat ein wahres...”
Brustvergrößerung
„Bei mir wurde eine Bauchdecken Straffung gemacht. Ich kann nur sagen, dass ich mich rund um wohl fühle. Bin mit...”
Bauchdeckenstraffung
Questions? You can reach us under
Would you like to receive further information about our treatment spectrum?
Subscribe to our newsletter or contact us directly.
© 2022 Praxis Contour