Otoplasty – Complications

All surgical procedures, even for patients in good health, carry some risk and can result in unpredictable complications.

It is of the utmost importance to implement all preventive measures to mitigate the risks where possible, by reducing and eliminating common risk factors such as smoke, obesity and concomitant disease, which are open to treatment before the operation.  Likewise, it is crucial that patients follow meticulously all indications given by the surgeon post-operatively; correct wound management (sterility), intake of prescribed medications and proper application of compression garments.

Despite the above-mentioned preventive measures, some complications may still occur, fortunately to a minor extent in the majority of cases. Systemic complications, e.g. anaesthesia-related, are very rare. The complications related to otoplasty are mainly:

  • bleeding: minor bleeding is normal after the surgery and applying pressure with a swab is sufficient to control it;
  • haematoma: a localised collection of blood – quite rare – which can occur within the first 24 hours after surgery. In the most severe cases it is necessary to re-open a portion of the wound to drain the blood and correct the root cause;
  • infection: thanks to the post-operative antibiotic administration, the risk of infection is very low. If an infection does develop, further specific antibiotics and local disinfection are required;
    • return to the pre-operative shape: In rare cases, the tendency for cartilage to return to the preoperative conformation it is possible that the ear, some time after the surgery, resumes its initial shape and position. This is extremely rare and, if it occurs, secondary corrective surgery is needed;
  • pathologic scars (hypertrophic/keloids): scarring, despite preventive measures (paper taping, silicone gel, sun protection), both as a consequence of a personal predisposition and of complications (e.g. infection, wound break-down), can develop pathologically: widened, uneven, pigmented scars. In such cases, once the scar has settled for at least 6-12 months, scar revision may be necessary.

It is noteworthy that for people in good health, whose pre-operative blood tests are within the normal range, statistics show that the incidence of serious complications is very low. If complications do occur it is crucial for patients to be emotionally stable in order to face and overcome them. In this respect, support from partners and/or relatives can play a major role in the recovery process, thus it is advisable to avoid having surgery without a support network. Additionally, an open and honest dialogue with the surgeon, who must be promptly notified of any doubts, is essential to correctly manage complications.

Contact Dr. Pierfranco Simone!