Pain control
Give paracetamol as required for pain (available from pharmacies
without prescription). Do not give aspirin. Local anaesthetic is
injected into the area at the time of surgery; this should wear off
within 24 hours and an increase in pain may occur when the local
anaesthetic ceases to have effect.
Activities
Encourage quiet activities at home to prevent trauma to ears.
Children can go back to school after seven days but must be
careful in playground activity. Do not scratch the ears as this may
cause damage. Avoid any activity in which the ear might be bent for
approximately one month. Strenuous activity and contact sports may
be resumed after 4-8 weeks. Bathe/shower as normal. Carefully pat
ears dry if wet.
What to expect
Swelling and bruising of the ears may persist for two weeks.
Some tenderness may persist for up to three months. There will be a
scar behind the ears that should fade over time. Every effort is
made to minimise scarring and achieve the best cosmetic result. You
will be given instructions at the review appointment on what to do
to prevent poor healing and bad scarring. This may include the use
of tapes or massage with sorbolene cream or aloe vera. Avoid
exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months and always use a
strong sunscreen if sun exposure is unavoidable. The final scar
result may not be seen for at least one year.
Do not expect both ears to match perfectly as perfect symmetry
is unlikely and unnatural in ears. Sutures will dissolve within two
weeks; any non-absorbable sutures will be removed at your review
appointment. Rarely, the sutures break down before the ear is
permanently fixed in position; this can cause the ear to return to
its original position. If this occurs then re-operation is required
to fix the ear.
Medical attention
Seek medical attention in the event of:
- Increasing pain or pain not relieved by medication
- Persistent fever
- General unwellness
- Wound discharge or increasing redness
- Fresh bleeding from the ears
- A blood clot appearing on the ears
Follow-up
Your follow-up appointment will be at one of the following:
- Plastic Surgery Outpatients (Registrar Clinic), Blue Desk,
Ground Floor, The Royal Children's Hospital (morning appointment)
- Consultant Clinic
- Consultant Private Rooms
- Local doctor
If you are unable to keep your appointment please call to
reschedule.
Contact
Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery Office - 9345 5391
Outpatient appointments - 9345 6180
Plastic Surgery Resident or Registrar - via switchboard on 9345
5522
Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Speech Pathology and Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery departments. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed November 2015.
Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.org.au.