Microsurgery Of The Inner Ear
There are several reasons for ear surgery or Otoplasty from cosmetic operations to pin back ears through to removal of skin cancers or other lesions right through to full ear reconstruction operations. There are also numerous operations performed on the inner ear and ear canal from correcting small tears in the eardrum to removing tumours and even the implantation of cochlear implants otherwise known as bionic ears.
Otoplasty is known as otologic surgery or otomicrosurgery as oto is the Greek word for ear and most ear surgery is performed using a microscope. The structures of the ear are small, and the structures of the inner ear are extremely small so most surgeries are performed using a microscope so that the surgeon can see clearly to perform the delicate and precise procedures.
Ear surgeries are performed on the outer ear for many reasons, one being that the ears are highly prone to developing skin cancers and there are increasingly more operations being performed to remove these tumours and repair or reconstruct the ear. There are also several other forms of tumours both malignant and benign that can grow on the outer ear, in the ear canal and in the middle ear that are routinely removed by surgery.
Reshaping of the ears and pinning the ears back to make them lie flatter against the head are popular cosmetic surgeries routinely performed especially on children to help them increase their self confidence and avoid being teased by other children. The ears are an extremely important facial feature and inconsistencies in shape and symmetry are extremely obvious as both ears are in view when looking at a persons face.
Reconstruction and reshaping surgeries of the ear are not only performed for cosmetic reasons but also for functional ones. The shape of the outer ear plays a vital role in the hearing function of the ear, and deformities and abnormalities of the outer ear can effect a person’s hearing.
Microsurgery of the inner ear is also routinely performed. Procedures include the repair of damaged or torn ear drums, surgeries to correct abnormalities such as narrowing of the ear canal and other surgeries to repair the structures of the inner ear.
One famous and some would say miraculous form of ear surgery that is now available is the provision of cochlear implants, commonly called bionic ears. These implants have successfully allowed profoundly deaf people to be able to hear – many for the first times in their lives.
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