Otoplasty
"Restoring the natural balance of your face through maxillofacial precision."
The art of personalized cartilage sculpting, by Dr Afshin Yousefpour.
Understanding the Anatomy of Prominent Ears
A prominent ear isn't simply a matter of skin positioning — it's a variation in the cartilage architecture. During your consultation, Dr Yousefpour precisely identifies the anatomical cause of the shape, which usually results from one or a combination of three factors:
- Underdeveloped antihelical fold: A missing or insufficient upper natural fold gives the ear a flat, splayed appearance.
- Conchal hypertrophy: The central bowl-shaped cartilage is too deep or projects forward, pushing the whole ear outward.
- Lobule valgus: The earlobe is angled excessively forward.
Dr Yousefpour's Surgical Signature
As a specialist of the facial region, Dr Afshin Yousefpour applies a conservative, structural approach:
- Gentle cartilage reshaping: Using soft rasps and calibrated cartilage sutures (Mustardé and Furnas stitches) to preserve natural flexibility without creating artificial angles or a "pinned-back" look.
- Concho-mastoid setback: Gently repositioning the concha without excessive removal, to keep the ear's hearing structure intact.
- Invisible scar: Placed within the natural crease behind the ear, closed with resorbable or intradermal sutures for absolute discretion.
- Pediatric & adult care: An approach suited to children from age 7–8 (once ear growth has stabilized and with the child's own agreement) as well as adults seeking to correct a long-standing concern.
Summary Table: The Surgical Journey
| Step | Details & Protocol |
|---|---|
| Pre-operative assessment | 3D photographic analysis, blood clotting assessment, anesthesia consultation |
| Type of anesthesia | Local anesthesia or sedation for adults; general anesthesia for children |
| Admission | Outpatient or day-case admission (arrival in the morning, discharge the same day after observation) |
| Procedure duration | 2 hours for a bilateral procedure |
| Initial dressing | A protective shaping headband, worn for 24 to 48 hours |
| Compression headband | Worn day and night for 1 week, then only at night for 3 to 4 weeks |
| Social / sports downtime | Return to work/school after 5 to 7 days; non-contact sports at 3 weeks; contact sports at 6 weeks |
FAQ
-
Why consult Dr Yousefpour for your otoplasty?Dr Yousefpour has developed advanced expertise in soft tissue, cartilage, and facial bone proportions. This skill guarantees not only a safe technical procedure, but above all a harmonious integration of the ear with the dynamics of your profile and face.
-
How does the procedure work for a child?From age 7, the ear cartilage has reached about 85 to 90% of its adult size. The decision should above all come from the child, if they express discomfort about it. Dr Yousefpour favors a reassuring, caring atmosphere, and the procedure is performed under light general anesthesia for complete comfort.
-
What post-operative sensations are normal?In the first few days, it's normal to feel moderate tension behind the ears, along with swelling and bruising. Skin sensitivity of the ear will be reduced; it will most likely recover spontaneously within a few weeks to a few months.
-
When can the final result be judged?The change is immediately visible as soon as the first dressing is removed. A near-final shape can be appreciated at 1 month (80% of swelling resolved), and the fully stabilized final result is seen between 3 and 6 months, once the tissue has completely softened.
Informed Consent
Medical Information & Informed Consent File
Procedure: Unilateral or Bilateral Otoplasty
Practitioner: Dr Afshin Yousefpour — Maxillofacial & Facial Plastic Surgery
1. Therapeutic Objective & Details
The procedure is intended to correct the shape of ear abnormalities (the antihelix, concha, or lobule). The surgical technique is tailored to each case by Dr Yousefpour, to achieve a harmonious, symmetrical repositioning.
2. Typical Course and Common Inconveniences
- Mandatory wearing of a compression dressing, then a retention headband, as prescribed.
- Swelling, bruising, and discomfort behind the ears for 7 to 15 days.
- Temporary hypoesthesia (reduced touch sensation) of the ear.
3. Documented Risks and Complications
Every surgical procedure carries some element of risk, even when performed with the greatest care:
- Hematoma: An early buildup of blood under the skin, which may require aspiration or a prompt surgical revision to prevent any damage to the cartilage.
- Infection / chondritis: A rare infectious involvement of the ear cartilage, requiring targeted antibiotic treatment and, exceptionally, surgical debridement.
- Abnormal scarring: A risk of hypertrophic or keloid scarring, depending on the patient's own skin reactivity.
- Residual asymmetry or recurrence: The cartilage's elastic memory, or early loosening of the internal sutures, can sometimes occur and justify a later surgical touch-up (after 6 to 12 months).
- Localized skin necrosis: Rare, more likely with active smoking.
Financial Framework for Revision Surgery (Touch-Ups)
Healing continues over a period of 6 to 12 months. No definitive surgical touch-up can be undertaken before this full tissue-stabilization period.
- Terms for covering revisions: If a touch-up or revision surgery proves necessary later to correct a residual imperfection, all costs related to this new procedure (clinic/hospital fees, anesthetist's fees, consumables, operating room equipment, and surgical fees) remain entirely and exclusively the patient's responsibility.
- The initial surgical procedure never constitutes a package that includes any future secondary procedures.
4. Legal Provisions & Belgian Taxation (VAT)
21% VAT applies: In accordance with Belgian tax law governing medical and surgical procedures (VAT Code, Art. 44, §1, 2°), any procedure or portion of a procedure that is purely aesthetic is mandatorily subject to 21% VAT, charged in addition to fees and facility costs.