Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

Question:

My daughter needs orthodontic treatment. The orthodontist is recommending surgery to expand her top jaw and shorten her bottom jaw. Is this common? What alternatives are there to surgery? I do not notice a severe underbite when I look at her. My daugther is currently 12 1/2.

Answer:

Although I cannot diagnose a patient with seeing him/her, in general at age 12 expansion can be accomplished with a non-surgical approach. Another factor to consider is the severity of the problem and how much expansion is required. If a child of 12 has a disproportionately large lower jaw sometimes a trial non-surgical approach is recommended. Lower jaw growth usually continues until the bodily growth is complete. So if the patient has surgery at 12 years of age, he/she could outgrow his/her treatment. Talk to the orthodontist about your concerns. If you still don’t feel comfortable with his/her advice, get a second opinion.

Question:

Dear Dr., My 3 year old daughter has an open bite. We have been reffered to an oral surgeon and told that surgery would be required. Are these procedures usually preformed on children of this age and if so, how does this affect future bone growth and development? Also, could you help me find more information about Le Fort I osteotomy on the web to help us better understand this procedure?

Answer:

The correction of an open bite is often done with a Lefort I osteotomy. The majority of the patients that undergo this procedure are older than 15 years old enless they have been diagnosed with a facial syndrome that requires a staged surgical correction. In these patients the final effects on overal growth and developement is unclear because of their underlying condition. For this reason I would be perfectly clear about your childs long term treatment plans as well as the primary diagnosis. Once you know this information you will be able to make a much better decision. For additional information about Lefort I osteotomies I would reccommend researching these key words on the web and at your local public library. Orthognathic surgery Craniofacial surgery Jaw corrective surgery good luck

Question:

my 7 year old daughter has one 6 year molar that did not come down-- the dentist thought it might be connected to the bone-- may need oral surgery-- any comments-- what is this procedure like?? any suggestions

Answer:

I would recommend that you seek the advice of an orthodontist before considering any surgery. Your orthodontist may be able to identify the problem if their is any and many times in conjunction with a surgeon they can help bring an impacted (in the bone) tooth into the correct position in your daughters mouth. Good Luck

Question:

I have a scar on my forehead and some wrinkles what is the best surgery i can make? I'm 39 years old and what may be cost of that kind of surgery?

Answer:

Where the wrinkles are in your forehead will determine what type of surgery is needed to correct them, and the cost, but probably you will require some type of forehead lift. Similarly with the scar. I would suggest you go to a plastic surgeon for a consultation. Hope this is helpful. Carmen Paradis M.D.

Question:

Doctor: I would like to ask you what the percentage of 20/20 or better is if my eyes are -1.00 and -1.25.How is the rehab. for the eyes? After the surgery, will my eyes ever even slightly go worse?Are there any risks? Thanks Sincerely, Steve Shelton

Answer:

Dear Steve, Thanks for your e-mail. 98% of patients I have treated have obtained 20/20 distance vision. The treatment will correct your vision as it stands today, but cannot predict further changes (most eyes are stable even 10 years later..as long as your prescription was stable for one year prior to treatment). Healing is very fast- most people return to work the next day. Like any surgery there are always risks.. you may wish to visit my web site at "www.lalasik.com" or "lzr.com". Thanks Dr. Alexandra Chebil

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

I am a 44 year old female, cup size D (38). Gravity has taken affect. Would reduction with implants be helpful to regain youthful appearance again or just reduction?

Answer:

Breast reduction surgery would probably achieve the results your looking for. There is the possibility a breast lift, Mastopexy, would also be beneficial. A consultation with a plastic surgeon can provide you with your options

Question:

I want to get Laser surgery and I want to know how good my eyes will be after the surgery.I'm 16 and my vision is -1.00 and -1.25.Can you please tell me the risks and the possible outcomes of the surgery.Also, how do you tell which surgery to get and what are the requirements?I want it very badly because I play sports.Glasses and contacts are both pains.I live in Colorado. Thanks Sincerely, Steve Shelton

Answer:

Dear Steve, thanks for your letter. I recommend waiting until 18 until your eyes have stabilized. Results of surgery are usually excellent with 20/20 vision most of the time. There rae very few complications and I think you would be quite happy wiht the vision. Thanks Dr. Alexandra Chebil (The Lasik Center)

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

my son is 12yrs of age and possibly needs mandibular advancement also 2supernumerary teeth behind#8/9removed 4premolars to be determined+4 3rdmolars.why would they remove so many teeth? and what is mandibular advancement? How long would it be for all this to be over? please help

Answer:

In general it appears that your son has been diagnosised with Mandibular Hypoplasia. The correction of this condition is performed with a procedure know as Orthognathic Surgery. If you are interested in the sequencing of this treatment you can look at the AOMS Home page or speak to a Board certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. As far as when his treatment will be over is difficult to say specifically, however in general the whole process can take up to two years and surgery is timed after your son has completed his facial growth. Good Luck

Question:

I had PRK surgery done on my right eye a week and a half ago. I have hypermetropia (this is how it is called in Spanish). I chose this procedure over lasik because my ophthalmologist said it was safer and more precise. My operation was on a Thursday and my doctor said that by Monday my eye was to have healed and he would be removing the protective contact lens. On Monday he said that there was a small part in the center that had not healed and that we would wait until Wednesday. This happened again on Friday and yesterday (Monday) he told me that if by Thursday it had not healed he wanted to scrape my eve again. I am not seeing well through the operated eye. Definitely worse that I did before the operation and my vision is very hazy. I also have acute discomfort all of the time. I am not willing to have this doctor scrape my eye again without a few other opinions and I am willing to travel wherever I have to in order to confer with the leading authority in the field (I live in Puerto Rico), The problem is finding out who the leading authority is. ...

Answer:

Dear Keller, Thank you for you letter. It sounds like the surface layer of epithelium(which is removed during PRK) has not grown back yet. Until this tissue heals completely it is normal to see "hazy" and to have discomfort. Sometimes the only way to help the tissue heal is to rescrape the cornea. I suggest that you continue with your original doctor until this healing is complete. Hypermetropia always takes longer to heal than myopia so you should be patient, I'm sure things will get better soon. Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

is there a cure for post nasal drip? I constantly have to blow my nose, and cough all the time.

Answer:

My recommendation would be to contact someone who specializes in sinus care and surgery (often an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist).In the Los Angeles area, I can recommend contacting Dr. Lorenzo Brown (310)412-3277. Good luck. Dennis Thompson, M.D.

Question:

I am having trouble finding a OBGYN. I was diagnosed with endometriosis and might need Laparospic surgery. I found one who seems good. He is a member of the Amer. Assoc. of Gyno. Laparoscopists and Society for Endoscopy. Plus other things, but he is not board certified and doesn't have a FACOG after his name. Is this the right Doctor for me. What does FACOG mean anyway?

Answer:

FACOG mean Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. One must be certified by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists before becoming a Fellow. There are two steps to board certification. The first is passing the written exam. This is generally done at the completion of residency. The candidate then must practice for two years. A case list is then submitted to the board. IF accepted, the candidate then may take the oral exam. Passing the oral exam makes them a Diplomate of the ABOG and qualifies them for FACOG. MDs who are have recently finished their training may not yet have taken the oral part of the board. They are what is referred to as "board eligible". Membership in the AAGL and SE does not require competency testing. THis said, your MD may be a great laparoscopist and excellent physican. Try to speak to people in the community (especially former patients) about his reputation. FACOG also does not = excellence in laparoscopy. Good luck.

Question:

Dear Dr.,I had 2 teethextractions 9 wks ago.Having persistant painradiating down to chinWhat can I do? Dr. said it is in my head!Been onKeflex 500mg qid 2x already. When Iget off after 3 days symptoms return. notetransient edema, warmth, and pain return. Allergic to pcn,sulfa. Pain is pronouced from r.earradiating down bone tochin. I am a nurse. Dr. states I am looking or attention.Not true. To the visible eye, site looks good. But the molar extracted is still deep. I had r. bottom wisdom tooth removed and the molarin front of it.Went to regular dentist and he tok 4 x-rays. Said hesaw complications-infection. But the maxio. guysaid he saw nothing.I have known him sence high school. I am 43. Have little faith in him. Chooses to ignore my symptoms. I have chronic TMJ bilaterally and do not want to have more chronic problems. I am concerned about bone infection.He never put me on an antibotic until 1 week after the surgery. The pain has also started radiating underneath chin. I amnot crazy, but he is blaming symptoms on anxiety. He has chooseto ignore me,stating,not knowing what to dobut play the waiting game.I need advice since no one listens to what I am saying. Never had these symptoms before the extractions.Adviseplease.Seek a 2nd opinion? Any idea whatit could be? Would nerve damage act like that?

Answer:

Dear Jean, There is never anything wrong with a second opinion. Regaurdless of the outcome the offer you the piece of mind of having a second expert evaluate you. I would recommend that when you go for a second opinion that you take any radiographs that you may have from before and after the surgery. By doing so it may allow the surgeon a greater understanding of your situation and specifically address your concerns regaurding nerve injury. Good luck

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