Poliklinika za estetsku kirurgiju Dr. Toncic

Innate deformations manifest in an irregular shape or position of the auricles (protruding, deformed or low ears). Protruding ears are the most common imperfection. Protruding ears are the most common deformation which can be present on only one or on both ears, and according to the intensity; it can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

Parents often wonder about the most appropriate age for a child to have otoplasty. Most surgeons agree that otoplasty should be performed at the early age, right before a child starts school. This is a very practical approach to the problem because, on one hand, deformation of the auricle has completely developed and the auricle itself has completed its growth while, on the other hand, the child comes to a new social environment without any obvious abnormality. The fact that protruding ears can be surgically corrected as early as at preschool age is very favorable for children, because it gives them the opportunity to remove this prominent deformation which might become the starting point for the development of undesirable complex during school age. Because of their frankness, straight forwardness and a tendency to tease, children can often appear very cruel. You can often hear of a child being given a nickname like Dumbo the Elephant, Jug Ears or Propeller due to his/her floppy ears. A sensitive child, at this age, will easily develop a negative physiological complex. The fact that so many adults come to have their physical imperfections corrected when they are older, because their parents did not make it possible for them to do so when they were children, proves that the complex really exists.

Adult patients coming for the otoplasty are mostly younger people. After the successful procedure, they often have a new hairstyle, so this new, nice form of their ears is finally noticeable. Young men can finally have very short haircuts, while young women can finally wear a ponytail, or other similar hairstyles, as they don’t need to cover the ears with their hair any more.

Cosmetic ear correction surgery successfully and permanently deals with prominent or deformed ears. The procedure is painless for the patient. We perform this procedure under local anesthetic, and if performed on young children, it can be done under general anesthesia.

The operation lasts for an hour. Before the operation, we take very precise measurements and draw the lines of correction on the auricle. The incision is made behind the ear, on the back side. During the surgery, beside the skin tailoring, we also form new shape of the auricle and ears. As the main incision is behind the ear, the scars will not be noticeable. The complications related to otoplasty are indeed rare, and they can manifest as a haematoma, thicker scar or secondary infection.

After the operation, the ears are fixed in the desired position. The patient wears a bandage around the head for seven days, when we remove the stitches. For the first month or two following the operation, the patient should avoid all kinds of sports and activities that might damage the ears.

USEFUL INSTRUCTIONS FOR OUR PATIENTS:

Although cosmetic eyelid surgery is preformed regularly in our clinic, the professionalism of our surgical team headed by Dr Toncic, makes us pay special attention to the preoperative preparation of our patient.

Prior to the operation – patient’s preparation:

• Prior to the otoplasty, the patient goes through a routine preoperative analysis, which comprises examination and consultation in our clinic and blood test analysis.
• We have a special arrangement with our foreign patients. Prior to the operation and preoperative examination, we hold consultation through emails, photos and by phone. This way, our surgeons get a deeper insight into the individual case, according to which they can estimate whether the patient is a suitable candidate for the desired operation. This procedure allows our patient to come to Zagreb for the operation one time only. When our patient arrives, we hold final preoperative consultation and medical examination (including blood test), where we discuss the details of the otoplasty together with the patient. After the consultation, we perform the surgery.
• To ensure the success of the cosmetic ear surgery, during the final preoperative examination, the surgeon makes a detailed and precise drawing and plan of the operation. Before the operation, in our correspondence and detailed conversation, we instruct our patients to discontinue painkillers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, containing acetylsalicylic acid like Aspirin, Andol or Acisal. This is very important factor in patient’s preparation for the surgery, as this way we prevent possible bleeding and haematoma during and after the procedure. Following this instruction makes the recovery quicker and more successful, and the result of the operation is improved.

Anesthesia and the procedure:

• We perform this procedure under local anesthetic, and if performed on young children, it can be done under general anesthesia. The complete procedure is painless.
• The patient stays in the clinic for several hours. It takes about an hour for preoperative preparations, and around one and a half hour for the operation itself after which the patient rests. Once discharged from the surgery the patient is sent to home care.

Postoperative period and recovery:

• The final result of the operation depends on the course of the operation, the experience of the surgeon and his team, but to a significant extent, it also depends on conscientious and detailed postoperative monitoring and control.
• Great success of the operations in Dr Toncic’s clinic is largely due not only to the experience of our surgical team, precise and enhanced techniques, but also to well organized professional postoperative care.
• To be sure of the success of the operation and wellbeing of the patient, Dr Toncic and his team insist on regular check ups and everyday contact with the patient.
• For our patients’ safety, successful recovery and postoperative monitoring, we recommend optimal length of stay in Zagreb. This way, we leave nothing to chance. We monitor our patient’s recovery completely, which is crucial for our patient’s health and the result of the operation.
• Postoperative recovery after otoplasty is individual, usually lasting around 7 days after the operation. The stitches are removed 7 days after the surgery, and our patients can resume their personal and professional activities 10 days after the operation.

Required stay in Zagreb:

• Required stay in Zagreb is minimum 24 hours, but we always insist that our patients come back so we can remove the stitches on the 7th day. We indeed require that our patients stay in Zagreb for the optimal time, as this period is crucial for the result of the operation.
• Sick leave lasts 7 to 10 days for cosmetic ear surgery. 7 days following the operation, we remove the stitches. 10 days after the surgery, the patient can resume her or his personal and professional activities.

Complete service – let us take care of everything

• Beside the operation, we can arrange travel and accommodation for our foreign patients. We are here to assist you in every step of the way. Therefore, we can book your flight, and private or hotel accommodation in Zagreb. Our driver will welcome you at Zagreb airport and take you to your accommodation.

• Keywords:
• Ear operation, aestethic, recovery, ...