Otoplasty in India

 
Patients from neighboring countries are coming down for otoplasty in India. With half a million doctors, over 700,000 nursing professionals and established hospitals, India’s importance as a center for high-tech healing is growing. Non-resident Indians, frustrated by long waits for treatment in the west, chose to get their procedures done here when on vacation. Most recently, westerners have started coming for a range of treatments. It has many world-class hospitals and medical facilities at its disposal. They definitely have an advantage over others, as apart from the cost factor, most foreign nationals are used to getting treated by Indian nationals abroad. Indian medical professionals settled abroad are associated with high quality care. Compared to countries like the UK or the US, minor treatments like those for dental problems or major procedures like bypass surgery or otoplasty come at a fraction of the cost in India, even though the quality of doctors and medical equipment is comparable to the best in the world.


Making the decision for otoplasty


Your choice of a qualified facial plastic surgeon is of paramount importance. During the consultation, the surgeon will examine the structure of the ears and discuss possibilities for correcting the problems. Even if only one ear needs "pinning back," surgery will probably be recommended on both ears to achieve the most natural, symmetrical appearance. After the surgeon and patient decide that otoplasty is indicated, your surgeon will discuss the procedure. Following a thorough medical history, your surgeon will explain the kind of anesthesia required, surgical facility, and costs. Typically, your surgeon will suggest a general anesthesia for young patients and a local anesthetic combined with a mild sedative for older children and adults.


Understanding the surgery


Surgery begins with an incision just behind the ear, in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head. The surgeon will then remove the necessary amounts of cartilage and skin required to achieve the right effect. In some cases, the surgeon will trim the cartilage, shaping it into a more desirable form and then pin the cartilage back with permanent sutures to secure the cartilage. In other instances, the surgeon will not remove any cartilage at all, using stitches to hold the cartilage permanently in place. After sculpting the cartilage to the desired shape, the surgeon will apply sutures to anchor the ear until healing occurs to hold the ear in the desired position.


In recent years many countries have experienced a shortage of specialty care providers, which has restricted their access to quality and cost effective medical care. In sharp contrast India has concentrated on increasing the availability of specialty cares thereby avoiding the shortage of medical professionals. In fact, the availability of clinical expertise, reasonable surgery costs, and internationally trained and educated medical professionals is a major factor in the growth of foreign patient procedures like otoplasty in India.