Surgical Treatment for Surfers Ear.
When Is Surgery Required?
Surgery may be advisable if you suffer recurring ear infections, continuing pain, hearing loss, or a constant feeling of fullness in the ear (occlusion).
It may not necessarily correspond that the larger the exostoses are, the more severe the symptoms become; each case needs be approached individually by taking a history and performing a physical exam, including an otomicroscopy.
Once a determination has been made as to the condition of the ear canal, surgery may be advised as the best course of action.
What is Canalplasty?
In order to prevent ongoing infections and to offset the problems of this condition, Dr Brown may recommend a canalplasty.
Canalplasty surgery is performed to accurately remove bone from the ear canal in order to widen the canal. This surgery may also be used as part of other procedures to improve access to treat damaged ear drums and other ear structures.
What does the surgery for Surfer’s Ear/Exostoses involve?
The technique utilised by Dr Brown involves using a high-powered operating microscope, diamond micro drills, the revolutionary Piezo device and his own custom made micro chisels to remove the overgrowths progressively. Dr Brown is also an experienced endoscopic ear surgeon, and may use this approach directly down the ear canal (no external skin incision) for those with suitable ear structures.
The canal is usually accessed via an incision behind the external ear, and then extreme care is taken to preserve the delicate skin which lines the ear canal as the bone is removed. For some suitable candidates, surgery may be performed directly down the ear canal.
Dr Brown also takes meticulous care to ensure that the surrounding anatomy is protected; this including the jaw, the eardrum and nearby facial nerve.
How long does it take to treat Surfer’s Ear/Exostoses surgically?
As an expert Ear Surgeon Dr Brown usually takes around 2 hours to complete a canalplasty for Surfer’s Ear/Exostoses.
What is used to remove the growths?
The technique utilised by your specialist Ear Surgeon , Dr Brown, involves an optimal combination of techniques tailored specifically to the individual needs of each patient.
Do you need anaesthesia?
Yes, canalplasty is performed by your Ear Surgeon Dr Brown under a general anaesthetic, administered by a specialist anaesthetist at Southern Cross Gillies Hospital.
Surfer’s Ear & Exostoses Surgical Recovery
Dr Colin Brown F.R.A.C.S. is New Zealand’s most experienced currently active surgeon in the definitive operative management of Surfer’s Ear/Exostoses.
The techniques he applies for each patient during canalplasty ensures an optimum result, with most patients leaving the hospital around 3-4 hours after the procedure.
Recovery Time
For the first week, the ear will be totally blocked with an antiseptic dressing in the canal which will be removed at the first post-op appointment seven days later.
At the first post-op appointment, a lighter dressing will be applied to allow restoration of hearing. Cleaning and redressing will continue on a weekly basis until the ear canal has fully healed; this is generally around 6-8 weeks.
Water pursuits are generally considered safe after 8 weeks, and for some this may be as short as 4 weeks, depending on the size of the exostoses.
Avoid
You must not drive a motor vehicle immediately after surgery. Air travel is fine any time from the following day..
Do not allow any water to enter the ear until directly advised by Dr Brown
Post Operative Self Care
Remove the turban bandage the next morning
The cotton ball at the entrance to the ear should be changed frequently as needed. When the ball no longer shows traces of blood, leave it out – except when washing.
When washing the hair, it is advised to replace a cotton ball mixed with vaseline in the outer ear opening and to cover
it with Vaseline. Dr Brown also suggests holding a cup over the ear. We also provide shower caps, for a more relaxed shower experience.
Keep the whole ear dry until your surgeon advises otherwise.