OTOPLASTY
Otoplasty is the technical term for ear surgery and is performed on children and adults who have large or protruding ears. Otoplasty is done to reposition and reshape ears to be flush with the head.
What is an Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is the technical term for ear surgery and is performed on children and adults who have large or protruding ears that tend to be more noticeable than other facial features. This procedure is done to “pin back” the ears by creating a fold along the back, so they don’t protrude. It is also performed on those whose ears are misshapen or not positioned evenly so that they can look balanced and more normal. Children and adults are teased over their ears and become very self-conscious trying to hide their ears.
The teasing that children face because of their protruding ears causes emotional turmoil leading to lower self-confidence and possibly behavioral problems. Since a child’s ears have grown to near adult size by age 5 or 6, ear surgery may be performed at this age.
BENEFITS OF AN OTOPLASTY
Otoplasty is done to reposition and reshape ears to be flush with the head, and make the ears look normal. It also offers the following benefits:
Easy procedure for children
Increases self-confidence
Stops any teasing from other people
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?
When ears are not positioned correctly or protrude from the head rather than lie flush with it, they look different and may cause a lot of embarrassment from teasing. This results in being very self-conscious and shy. Children and adults with large, protruding or misshapen ears are good candidates for ear surgery.
WHAT DO I DO TO PREPARE FOR AN OTOPLASTY?
During a consultation, we provide you with a detailed list of instructions to prepare for your otoplasty. In addition to having an overall health check up by your primary care physician, we ask that you take some precautions to ensure a successful surgery and recovery. These include steps like no smoking several weeks prior to and following surgery and avoid any medications that may thin the blood a couple of weeks prior to surgery.
We also give you post-operative instructions so that you can make sure to have what you need for the first days following your ear surgery. One important detail is to have someone provide transportation to and from the procedure as well as stay with you for the first 24 hours.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON THE DAY OF MY EAR SURGERY?
Otoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia with sedation. During the procedure, excess cartilage is removed, and the ears are reshaped and repositioned to lay more against the head. If necessary, the ears may be pinned back by sewing them in the correct position. Even if only one ear is misshapen, both ears are typically done so that they look identical.
HOW LONG DOES OTOPLASTY TAKE TO PERFORM?
Otoplasty takes two to three hours to perform.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER
Following otoplasty, a dressing is placed on the ears along with a bandage wrapped around the head. This is done to protect and support the ears during the initial healing. A headband may be worn once the bandages are removed to provide continued support during the recovery. Most of the time, absorbable stitches are used and dissolve over time. Most people take a week off work or school following otoplasty. Once they resume their schedules, they must avoid any heavy lifting and strenuous activities for several weeks. This procedure is not painful and well tolerated by children, adolescents, and adults.
WILL I HAVE SCARS FROM MY OTOPLASTY?
The incisions for ear surgery are made where the back of the ear and the head meet. This conceals incisions and scarring which greatly diminishes and virtually goes away over time.
WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS?
Although the results are immediate, there is some swelling and bruising around the ears. The full results are evident within a month.