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
Call an ambulance (000) immediately in an emergency.
Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Speech Pathology and Plastic and Maxillofacial departments. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed November 2015.
This information is awaiting routine review. Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.