Lopopoulosity

Prominent ears are a characteristic arrangement of the ears - they do not fit close to the temporal bones, but stick out, sometimes quite strongly.

From an aesthetic point of view, such a feature is considered a flaw and can often provoke the emergence of various complexes associated with the reaction of others to this defect.

Epidemiology

About half of the planet's inhabitants are born with protruding ears to varying degrees, and there are equal numbers of boys and girls. However, girls are better at hiding this defect with long hair, so it seems that there are many more protruding-eared boys.

Not all nations consider protruding ears a defect, perhaps only those of European descent. The Japanese consider people with protruding ears to be more sensual, in Korea protruding ears are a symbol of wealth, success and attractiveness.

The ideal ears of a modern representative of the Caucasian race are currently considered to be ears with an average length of 65 mm, a width of 35 mm, and an earlobe length of 15-20 mm. The top of the curl should be at the level of the eyebrow arch, the bottom of the lobe at the level of the base of the tip of the nose. If the upper and/or lower point of the ear is located above (below) the above-mentioned levels, the ear can be considered large. The axis of the ideal ear is 20º tilted back from the line that runs from the upper edge of the curl through the earlobe.

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Symptoms lobes

Signs of protruding ears:

• the angle formed by the auricle and the temporal bone is more than 30º;
• smoothed contours of the auricle and antihelix.

Most often, protruding ears are the result of an underdeveloped, poorly expressed antihelix (a tubercle on the inner lobe of the outer ear, located opposite the helix). The antihelix may be absent completely - in this case, the entire ear sticks out, or to some extent - then only the upper lobe of the auricle protrudes.

Other types of protruding ears - the outer ear protrudes noticeably due to an increase in the volume and mass of the cartilage on which it is located.

Occasionally, a protruding earlobe may occur due to the growth of the outer ear canal or the peculiarities of the shape of the tail of the curl.

There are cases of protruding ears in combination with a uniform increase in the size of the outer ear. Macrotia is a proportional ear, the size of which does not correspond to the size of the facial bones of the skull. Such an ear looks larger than the "normal" one for this head. This type of protruding ears is observed with rapid growth of the ear or one of the parts of the skull. This pathology may indicate the presence of von Recklinghausen syndrome or abnormal vascular changes.

Both ears may be deformed, sometimes only one. Deformation variants are very individual, so a single medical approach to eliminating this cosmetic defect is impossible in principle.

Prominent ears in children mainly worry their parents, but if the defect is minor, it is not necessary to seek surgical help. Firstly, with the growth of the skull bones, this defect may become less noticeable, and secondly, it can be corrected by choosing a suitable hairstyle. Many famous people have such a defect, but it did not prevent them from succeeding and achieving recognition.

However, if protruding ears create mental discomfort and prevent the child from adapting to his peers, it is worth turning to plastic surgery.

Stages

The need for otoplasty depends on the degree of protruding ears, of which there are only three.

• the first (not immediately noticeable, the ears are located at an angle of not much more than 30º from the temporal lobe of the skull) – this defect is eliminated by removing excess cartilage tissue at the site of the deepening of the auricle;
• the second (immediately noticeable, the angle of deviation from the temporal lobe of the skull is acute, but approaches a straight line) - this case is more complex, it consists of the formation of an antihelix fold (the cartilage in the antihelix area is thinned, a fold is created, then stitches are applied).
• The third (ears stick out at a right angle) requires the use of a complex technique, including both the removal of excess cartilage tissue and the formation of an antihelix fold.

Protruding ears themselves usually do not affect health. However, if the defect is clearly visible, the child may face ridicule from peers and poorly hidden reactions from adults. A minor defect in appearance may cause the child to develop an inferiority complex. Offensive nicknames that have stuck since childhood may cause future mental pathologies. If the child is sensitive to ridicule, gets offended, cries, then for the sake of his future, parents should think about correcting the shape of the ears. After all, it is in childhood and adolescence that protruding ears cause a lot of anxiety.

Occasionally, protruding ears can have consequences and complications - if protruding ears worsen as the auricle grows, sound perception may deteriorate. In cases of significant deviation of the auricle from the temporal lobe, the risk of frequent otitis increases.

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Diagnostics lobes

The presence of protruding ears is visually visible to both the patient and his parents. A regular otolaryngologist can determine the degree of deformation, he can also consult on possible complications and recommend a method of treatment.

If during the first visits to the otolaryngologist, for example, before placing the child in kindergarten, the doctor did not make a comment on this defect, and subsequently the child does not complain of pain or hearing problems, there is no need for diagnostics. In case of complaints of acute pain or discomfort in the ears, it is necessary to seek help.

The doctor will examine the patient, study the symptoms and prescribe tests, necessary laboratory tests to make sure that the symptoms are not caused by complications of any chronic, inflammatory, infectious diseases, consequences of injuries. Instrumental diagnostics in this case are magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray of the auricle, otoscopy.

Protruding or asymmetrical ears can be signs of some congenital pathologies, for example, the already mentioned von Recklinghausen syndrome, Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome (only in girls). To differentiate more serious diseases from a cosmetic defect, there is differential diagnostics.

If it is decided to resort to otoplasty, an examination by the operating surgeon is necessary, with whom the scope of the operation must be discussed. Currently, there is computer diagnostics that allows choosing the method of performing the operation based on the type and degree of deformation of the auricle, the structure of the skin and the age of the patient.

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Treatment lobes

To correct this deficiency, conservative (non-surgical), semi-conservative and surgical treatment are used.

Treatment without surgical intervention is carried out in childhood, when the ear cartilage is still elastic and in most cases its configuration can be corrected. It is especially amenable to correction from birth to six months.

There are known examples of successful correction of protruding ears in children up to fourteen years of age.

The designs for correcting protruding ears are quite diverse. They change the shape of the ear due to long-term stabilization of the correct position of the ear cartilage.

Semi-conservative treatment involves inserting a corrective fixator made of titanium and nickel alloy under the skin of the ear. The length of the fixator is 1.5 cm, the thickness is a hair. The main disadvantage of this method is the high cost of the fixator material and its compatibility with human tissue. This issue is still under study.

Surgical treatment of protruding ears became widespread even when plastic surgery was not so popular. Otoplasty is not a very complicated operation, almost without complications.

Contraindications to otoplasty: dysfunction of the heart and blood vessels; allergies; diabetes mellitus and other disorders of the endocrine system; skin irritation at the site of the proposed operation; neoplasms; period of acute infections; thrombocytopenia; for women - during menstruation.

Recovery after surgical removal of protruding ears usually proceeds without complications, but there are no rules without exceptions. Organisms are individual, so it is necessary to follow all postoperative rules recommended by specialists, and everything will be fine.

Otoplasty may be complicated by:

• bleeding, which is normal, as are small hematomas;
• inflammation, if there are signs of it (fever, throbbing pain in the ear area) - see a doctor;
• at the site of the operation the skin peels off and blisters appear (usually goes away on its own);
• allergy to antiseptics used to treat the surgical site (usually allergy medications help);
• scars, incomplete elimination of the defect, hypercorrection, asymmetry (may be associated with individual characteristics of the patient's tissues, violation of care rules). In very rare cases, the operation must be repeated.

To avoid complications, you need to:

• choose an experienced surgeon;
• conscientiously follow the recommendations for postoperative wound care and the rules of conduct after surgery.

Surgical treatment of protruding ears is performed both with a conventional surgical scalpel and a laser beam. A conventional scalpel copes well with difficult-to-remove defects associated with reconstructive modeling of the auricle. In simpler, more typical cases of cosmetic correction, it is better to choose laser surgery. It has a number of advantages:

• the laser beam, coagulating the edges of the cut tissue, is less traumatic, preventing blood loss, hematomas, large swellings, promoting faster healing;
• the scar after the laser beam is already invisible after a month, and after a year it disappears completely;
• with laser correction the surgical field is clearly visible;
• the surgical area is absolutely sterile, since the tissues come into contact only with the laser beam;
• high precision of the operation, adjacent areas of the skin are not injured;
• the laser scalpel cuts tissue layer by layer by 2-3 mm;
• Laser technology allows not only to cut tissues, but also to join them (biological welding).

Otoplasty is one of the few plastic surgeries that are allowed for children – the cartilaginous structure of the ear is practically formed by the age of four or five. Restoring the aesthetic shape of the ears is the simplest type of otoplasty. The duration of the operation is usually less than an hour, small children are operated under general anesthesia, children over 12 years old – local anesthesia is done.

Surgical procedures are performed with cartilaginous tissue, so bleeding is insignificant. After the operation, a compression bandage is put on, which is worn without removing for one or two weeks. Later, the bandage can be removed during the day, but it is necessary to put it on before going to bed. This prevents accidental damage to the auricles, which children can damage during active pastime. In general, during this period, it is necessary to monitor the child, limiting his activity.

Cosmetic otoplasty is allowed to be performed from the moment when the ear size is 85% of the adult size (4-5 years), and the child may consciously want to correct the defect in appearance. The most suitable age is considered to be 6 years. In childhood, the cartilaginous tissues of the auricle grow together quickly, usually there are no negative consequences. The main requirement is to follow the postoperative regimen to avoid injury to the ear, suture divergence, hematomas, scars and marks.

Treatment of protruding ears without surgery

The age up to which conservative treatment of protruding ears is possible is estimated differently: most experts claim that it is the first six months of life, there is an opinion that there is a possibility of correcting this defect in the first seven years of life, there is even evidence of the elimination of protruding ears at the age of 14. It happens that this defect becomes less noticeable or disappears completely with the growth of the skull bones. Advertisements for ear correctors guarantee getting rid of protruding ears even for adults.

Methods of treating protruding ears without surgery include: ear bandages or ear correctors (ear pads for protruding ears).

The bandage is put on the ears of the newborn. At this stage, the cartilages are still soft, flexible and easily deformed. A slight protrusion can be corrected with a tight cap or kerchief. A headdress that slightly presses the ears should be worn constantly.

Arilis correctors are a Russian-Finnish development, made of transparent hypoallergenic silicone. There are options for children and adults, the manufacturer promises a visible effect for children in three months, for adults - after two years.

Otostiq correctors are made in Spain, the variations for children and adults differ only in size, and are used from three months. Children are promised to get rid of protruding ears in six months, and adults – visual correction while wearing them.

Arilis and Otostiq correctors are worn for at least a week (if they haven’t fallen off, you can wear them for 10 days), then they are replaced with a new one.

Otoplasty correctors (United Arab Emirates). Differ from the previous ones in the wearing time (1-2 days). Available for women's and men's ears.

The correctors come with hypoallergenic glue for attaching them to the scalp. Velcro for protruding ears allows you to lead a normal life - wash your hair, swim in the pool and in the sea. They are glued to clean, degreased skin, removing hair from it, in the same place.

It is recommended to stick the corrector in a dry room, because humidity prevents high-quality gluing. During the gluing procedure, it is necessary to avoid the formation of skin folds under the corrector. This can lead to diaper rash and scratches.

How to hide protruding ears?

Representatives of the fair half of humanity have long learned to hide protruding ears under their hair, making various hairstyles for protruding ears from both short and long hair. Hair for protruding ears is styled so that the line of the hairstyle widens from the crown to the ears. The length of the hair can be any, but it must cover the upper half of the ear. Curly and permed hair masks protruding ears well, the ends of straight hair are tucked inward. Bob and square haircuts, sesson, cascade, graduated haircuts, both symmetrical and asymmetrical, are good.

The grunge style is back in fashion, which suggests somewhat tousled and disheveled hair. This style is used for a variety of haircuts that will hide protruding ears and emphasize a stylish image.

Fans of long hair should tie it into a ponytail or braid it just below the occipital cavity, allowing the hair to fall freely around the face, partially covering the ears. You can leave some strands at the temples hanging freely or curl them into spirals. If you want to pull your hair into a high hairstyle, you do not need to pick up the temple strands of hair, but after doing the hairstyle, fasten them at the back of the head so as to hide the upper half of each ear.

To divert attention from protruding ears, fake earrings will help, in particular, fashionable cuff earrings, which have not given up their positions since 2013 and are enriched with a variety of new models.

And, of course, protruding ears can be hidden with various headwear - buffs, baseball caps, scarves. This option is suitable for both women and men who prefer a sporty style of clothing.

If you have protruding ears, it is better for men to have medium-length hair, which hides this flaw. Men's haircuts for protruding ears on medium hair suggest a huge variety of hairstyles, including classic ones, which are indispensable at business meetings.

Modern men's fashion welcomes the use of grunge style, graduation, thinning - the possibilities are truly endless.

Prevention

It is impossible to prevent protruding ears, basically, the appearance of protruding ears is promoted by heredity, which one may not even suspect. If a child is born with protruding ears, it is believed that wearing tight hats or correctors at a very young age (up to six months) can help, the use of correctors in childhood may also somewhat reduce the angle of deviation of the ears from the temporal bone of the skull.

In general, the most important thing is to stop noticing your own shortcomings, not to have complexes, not to complain. Convince yourself first of all of your irresistibility, because those around us perceive us as we see ourselves.

You can perceive protruding ears not as a defect, but as a peculiarity, a feature of appearance. And then others will see a confident, charming person in front of them, and not protruding ears.

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Forecast

The prognosis for life in case of this pathology is favorable! There is, after all, otoplasty - not too difficult operation, returning a good mood and confidence.

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