The appearance of our ears which are a part of the structure on our face is the most important complementary of facial aesthetic. Most frequently seen aesthetic defect on ears is the deformation named as “ladle ear” or “sailing ear” among public. Ladle ear is a state where ear curves are not formed sufficiently or accordingly ears are opened to the front or to sides because ear cartilages are weak. This is generally a deformation linked with heredity.

Why does it happen? 

Ladle ear is an inborn state that develops in connection with the family. It is not associated to a certain reason. It is not an indication of a certain problem or disease. Sometimes there might be one or two ear in a newly born baby. According to another theory, the oestrogen hormone circulating in blood causes ear cartilages to be soft and that transforms into ladle ear appearance upon reduction of front ear muscles immediately after birth.

When should it be made?

Ladle ear is the greatest nightmare of girls and boys at school age. It is because they become a subject of ridicule for their friends at school and this situation significantly influences their school success and social relations. They encounter problems of adaptation to school. That might even cause serious psychological problems which are hard to compensate in future. The best treatment is the implementation of an elastic bandage on ears under supervision of a physician permanently for a few months starting 2-3 weeks after birth in babies who are determined to have ladle ear by their families. The result is generally a success and there will be no need to surgery in future.
For children who miss this opportunity, the best time for treatment is the surgical adjustment at the age of 6 before starting school. In that case the child will have been treated before becoming a subject of ridicule and psychologically aware of the characteristic. As the ears complete their development at the ages of 4-5, there is no impediment of having a surgery at the age of 6. Depending on personal conditions and the preference of the family, the surgery can also be made in the years that follow however pre-school surgery should be preferred because it eliminates the possibility of the child being made subject to ridicule by his/her friends. It can be made any time after the age of 5. 

What are the benefits?

Ladle ear aesthetic surgery enables the ears to be normally positioned therefore significantly amends the appearance of the person. As it will increase the self-confidence of the person it will have a positive impact on family and social relations.

Duty of parents... 

When we determine such a situation in our children there are great benefits in meeting a physician. If your child is at school age, you have to examine whether this situation affects your child because sometimes children may not express it and lead to crisis by repressing their problems. If your child complains about this situation you should take him/her seriously and attempt to help him/her. You may encounter serious problems in future. However if the children do not complain about their ears and they do not want this surgery or change they should not be enforced to have surgery. Children who are uncomfortable with the form of their ears and want surgery are generally more adaptive during treatment. 

How is it treated?

Ear aesthetic surgery is not an intervention that bears significant risks. It is an extremely simple and easy surgery. Depending on the age of the patient, it could be performed under local or general anaesthesia. It could be performed at hospital or in clinics. It is a daily surgical procedure that does not require being hospitalised. It is performed from the front or rear of ear depending on the preference of surgeon. Ear cartilages are re-shaped so the ear is positioned backward. 

Depending on its nature, the surgery takes 45-90 minutes. Following the surgery it will be necessary to have an ear band for 1-2 week. Since the cut pieces will generally remain behind the ears, there remains no visible mark. It has no impact on hearing. Recuperation is completed in 1-2 weeks.
There is a great deal of comfort in patients whose ear appearance are ameliorated. Basically this surgery is gaining popularity among public and it is a simple, reliable surgery that provides a significant amelioration on the facial aesthetic and in the spiritual state of the person despite being painless.