Prominent Ear Correction
Between 1% to 2% of the population possesses prominent ears. That is, ears which protrude further than normal away from the head. The condition is typically genetic with the ear typically lacking a necessary fold. This fold is normally found in the back of the ear and allows the ear to lie flatter against the head. Although prominent ears typically cause no physical discomfort, they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence, especially in children who might be teased because of them.
Prominent Ears in Children
When a child is born with prominent ears, the ears of the newborn are often flexible enough to adjust them using a simple splint around the edge of the ear. This type of adjustment can usually be made after a few weeks of splint usage and is best done very soon after birth as the cartilage becomes harder with each passing week. Because of this, the splint can be used to reshape the ear up until about the age of six months when the cartilage of the ear becomes too hard for this to be successful. At any point after this, surgical adjustment is required.
The procedure is typically performed on children although it is not recommended to operate on children who are under the age of 5. The cartilage in the ears of these very young children is more flexible and less likely to maintain the desired shape after the operation because the sutures are less likely to hold. It is also recommended to wait until the child is of an age when they recognize the condition of their ears and are able to make the choice as to whether or not they desire the procedure to be performed.
Prominent Ear Correction Surgery
Prominent ear correction, which is termed pinnaplasty or otoplasty, is performed by creating the necessary fold behind the ear which allows the ear to lie normally. The procedure is typically carried out under local anesthesia in adults but general anesthesia is typically used in younger children to add to their comfort. During the surgery, a cut is made behind the ear close to the area where the ear meets the back of the head. Through this incision, the surgeon is able to manipulate the cartilage of the ear, which is quite elastic. Because of the innate elasticity of the cartilage, the surgeon is able to produce tension in the fibers of the cartilage forcing the ear to move in the intended direction. The ears are then held in their new position using dissolving sutures which are buried in the ear. The incision is then sutured and is usually quite inconspicuous due to its location behind the ear. No bandages are typically required following this procedure although they might occasionally be used, depending on the surgeon. However, a sweat band is usually utilized for several weeks when the patient is sleeping in order to keep the ears in the desired position until they are fully healed. This prevents the ears from bending as they normally do when the head is placed on a pillow.
As is the case with all procedures, the scars will be red and raised directly following the surgery but will fade over time, usually becoming quite pale six to twelve months after the operation. In rare cases, the patient might develop a keloid, a more visible and serious scar. The keloid can vary in colour but is typically more painful and itchy than normal scars. However, the vast majority of the time, the scar heals over quickly and successfully. Only in about 3% of cases does the scar become very red and inflamed to the point where further treatment may be required. Following the surgery, pain medications such as codeine are typically prescribed for the first few days and discomfort may continue for several weeks after the surgery. As with any surgery, aspirin should be avoided during the recovery process as it causes the blood to thin and may lead to post-operative bleeding at the place of the procedure. It is important also that the place of the incision behind the ear be kept clean in order to prevent infection.
Prominent Ear Surgery Risks
The procedure fortunately carries very few risks as the incision is very small and the surgery is quite quick and minor. However, as with any procedure, there is always a risk of side effects. Some of the possible side effects of the procedure include infection and continued bleeding after the surgery. Fortunately, this rarely occurs. It is also possible, although uncommon, that the ear might not have been correctly positioned and that skin damage might have occurred in front of the ear. For the most part, patients are very satisfied with the result of the surgery and do not request an adjustment. If the patient is, for any reason, not satisfied with the new positioning of the ear, a repeat procedure may be necessary. These repeat operations are usually very successful and the positioning of the ear is typically quite correctable. Post-operative bleeding is quite uncommon but if it occurs, the application of pressure and rest should naturally cause it to cease. If it does not, further treatment may be necessary. Infection, however, is more serious as it can damage the underlying cartilage of the ear if the infection is not treated. Unfortunately, damage to ear cartilage is not easily reparable. Therefore, it is essential that infection be immediately treated upon discovery. Infection can usually be successfully treated with the use of antibiotics. Bandages may also need to be applied to the ear to ensure that substances do not get into the wound until it is able to heal thoroughly and successfully. It is also possible that the area of the ear in which the incision was made will be numb for several weeks after the procedure. But, like the other side effects, the numbness is purely temporary.
Our Practices
Mr Fourie practices at Nuffield Health Hospital, Leeds, conveniently situated in the city centre near Leeds General Infirmary and at Barnsley Medical Consulting Rooms in central Barnsley.
Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Mr LeRoux Fourie offers a wide range of cosmetic surgery and non surgical treatments and below is a brief outline of each
Inverted Nipple Correction
Many women find their nipples to be a great cause of embarrassment as they do not project past the breast and remain inverted. Mr Fourie is able to correct this problem using a quick and reliable treatment that can be done in as little as thirty minutes
Prominent Ear Correction
Although having prominent ears typically causes no physical discomfort as such they can sometimes lead to a lack of self-confidence and be on the receiving end of cruel jokes. Sometimes just one ear is the problem but usually both will be pinned back. It is also possible to perform other types of ear surgery to the lobes depending on the complexity of the case.
Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia is the medical term for male breasts and can be a very humiliating condition for men and can make them very self-conscious. Because of this, some individuals decide to undergo a male breast reduction procedure in order to remove the excess tissue and, occasionally, even skin from the area of the breasts.
Liposuction / Liposculpture / Body-Jet Lipo
You can now experience the latest advancements in cosmetic surgery with the revolutionary Body-Jet Water-jet assisted liposuction procedure. The gentle water jet washes away the fat without damaging the underlying structures such as the blood vessels and nerves which means less recovery time and bruising.
Non Surgical Treatments
Antiwrinkle Injections
It is inevitable that as we age lines and wrinkles will become visible and to some this is of concern. Lines around our eyes can develop as can lines on the forehead. The prescription injection treatment we all know as BOTOX® is now formally approved for cosmetic use and is called a new name which is VISTABEL®. VISTABEL® is a treatment that is used to relax the frown lines that can trouble our forehead as well as crows feet which can develop around the eyes.
Excessive Sweating
Our body uses sweating to help control body temperature and is normal human function however some people suffer from excessive sweating which can lead to severe embarrassment and anxiety. Following a consultation if your suitable we can provide a treatment that will prevent your excessive sweating that involves BOTOX® being injection into your arm pit.
DermaRoller
Genuine Dermaroller™ Therapy™ can offer a significant improvement in appearance for those who suffer from acne scars, sun damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles and stretch marks. The DermaRoller procedure stimulates your skin to help with the regeneration and repair of itself and is a natural and safe way to create smoother, brighter and healthy skin.
Fillers
Dermal fillers can be used for many different non surgical enhancements and anti ageing treatments. They can be used for lip enhancement to create subtly increase the volume of the lips, smoothing lines around the lips, nose and cheeks as well as many other areas of the face and body to improve the appearance of the skin.
Mole Removal
It is very common for moles, lesions or cysts and can appear in many different places on the face and body. Sometimes they can be in a prominent position which can cause frustration or self awareness. Mr Fourie is able to assist in many different types of these problems and would be happy to perform many of these in the minor theatre or treatment room if he is able.
Mr Fourie
About Mr Le Roux Fourie
Mr Le Roux Fourie is a Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon based in West Yorkshire. Mr Fourie was born and raised in South Africa and underwent his medical and post graduate training in South Africa, obtaining his basic Medical Degree in 1979. Thereafter he served as a Medical Officer in the South African Defence Force Medical Corp, before starting training as a registrar in Plastic Surgery at the University of Stellenbosch in CapeTown. He qualified as a Plastic Surgeon in 1987 and was appointed a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Number One Military Hospital in Pretoria, where he served as full-time Consultant for three years reaching the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1991 and 1992 he was in full-time Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Pretoria.
In 1993 Mr Fourie joined the Department of Plastic Surgery and Burns at Pinderfields General Hospital as the second consultant to be appointed after the tragic murder of the two previous Plastic Surgeons. He helped establish the current Department of Plastic Surgery from two members to the current seven consultants. During his time in Pinderfields General Hospital he established a Breast Reconstructive Surgery Service, which works mostly with the Breast Surgeons in dealing with primary breast reconstructions and delayed breast reconstructions after breast cancer.
Mr Fourie has been in part-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital, Nr Leeds since 1993.
Since April 2008 Mr Fourie has been in full-time Private Cosmetic Surgery Practice in Methley Park Hospital.
Special Interests
Mr Fourie is an experienced Breast Surgeon dealing with congenital breast problems, acquired breast problems such as breast reconstructions after cancer surgery (both immediate and delayed) and cosmetic breast surgery.
He has published articles regarding nipple areola reconstruction and has developed a tattooing technique which is now used by Cosmetic Tattooists in the UK.
He has been involved with the Allergan Implant Corporation in a ten year follow-up study of the long term effects of silicone breast implants which was published in the International Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
Mr Fourie further specialises in Facial Aesthetic Surgery and is one of the first surgeons to use the MACS (Minimum Access Cranial Suspension) face lift technique in the UK in October 2002. His long term results using the MACS face lift were presented at the Summer Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons in Dublin in 2005.
Publications and Presentations
Mr Fourie was awarded the BAPRAS prize for the best clinical paper read at the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Anaesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting in Windsor in 2005.
He was awarded the BAAPS prize for the best paper read at the 2007 Conference in London. The Hackett Prize for the best paper at the BAAPS Conference 2007 was awarded to Mr Fourie.
Mr Fourie has lectured on nipple areola reconstruction and tattooing techniques, the treatment of pressure sores, wound infections and wound problems, facial aesthetic surgery and body contour surgery.
Mr Fourie has appeared in the Discovery Channels series on cosmetic surgery. He also featured on BBC's Inside Out in October 2007.
Mr Fourie has published papers in International Peer Review Journals on topics such as Breast Reconstruction, Breast Implants, Cosmetic Breast Surgery, Nipple Reconstruction and Facial Plastic Surgery
Charity Work
Mr Fourie does voluntary charity work in Africa as part of the Facing Africa Team involved in the treatment of noma (www.facingafrica.org). This is based at Yakatit 12 Hospital in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia where reconstructions are done on patients suffering from Noma
Qualifications
MBCHB.
FCS (SA) PLAST
FRCS
BAPRAS (British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons)
BAAPS (British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons)
BAHNO (British Association of Head and Neck Oncologists)
GMC Specialist Register - Registered as a Specialist Plastic Surgeon on GMC full registration. The GMC registration is 3633562.
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