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Perichondritis Cosmetic Surgery
An infection that mostly affects the external ear, perichondritis is a disease of the skin. Injury, burns, insect bites, or boils can aggravate the problem. The perichondrium is a thin layer of tissue around the cartilage which helps to provide nutrients to it. Infection of this tissue leads to perichondritis. A common bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes the infection Perichondritis. Contact sports, ear piercing and trauma to the ear either accidental or during an ear surgery are the main causes of this problem. If perichondritis progresses towards chondritis, it can cause severe damage to the ear structure. Cosmetic surgery is then required to restore the normal shape of the ear.
Symptoms:
- A clear symptom of perichondritis is a painful red ear. Progressing to involve perichondritis, the infection will initially look like cellulitis.
- The area of trauma is usually surrounded by redness which may be an abrasion or laceration.
- In severe cases fever may be accompanied by fluid draining from the wound.
- Diagnosis of Perichondritis is presumed in case of a history of trauma to the ear or the ear is red and tender.
- The shape of the ear may abnormally change.
Perichondritis Surgery:
Through an intravenous line, antibiotics may be given directly in the blood stream or through the mouth. Surgery may be required to drain the fluid and remove any dead skin or cartilage incase of trapped collection of pus. Full recovery is expected if diagnosis is made early and antibiotics are started. Part of the ear may die and need to be surgically removed in advanced cases of chondritis. In such cases, to restore the ear to its normal shape cosmetic surgery is required. Extension of the infection into the cartilage of the ear which may require removal of the damaged part is the main complication. It is here that the possibility of a cosmetic surgery arises to restore it.
Role of the surgeon:
Development of redness and pain over the stiff part of the ear needs to be evaluated by the surgeon. If antibiotics and medication fail, the damaged part is carefully examined by the surgeon and an appropriate surgery is recommended for its restoration. Doctors are aware that this infection tends to occur among people whose immune system is weak. Apart from this, people who suffer from diabetes also face this problem. Thus, plastic surgeons demand a thorough medical check-up before proceeding.
When the doctor is convinced that the patient is capable of moving ahaed with the surgery, he makes an incisdion to drain the pus which allows the blood to reach the cartilage once again. The choice of antibiotic that the surgeon may use highly depends on how severe the infection is and which bacteria has caused it! Gather more information regarding the details of perichondritis cosmetic surgery from your surgeon and you may just come out with positive responses.