Ear surgery or otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of a person’s ears. Although otoplasty does not affect hearing, it can provide great psychological benefits to anyone who has been teased about the size or shape of their ears; has had a serious ear injury or simply wants to improve their appearance. Otoplasty typically serves two functions which are setting prominent ears back closer to the head and reducing the size of large ears.
Ear surgery may also be helpful for the following conditions:
- Large or protruding ears
- Lop ear (top of the ear folds downward or inward)
- Cupped ear (a small ear)
- Shell ear (no outer curve in the cartilage)
- Large, stretched, or torn earlobes
- Earlobes with large creases and wrinkles
Candidates
Candidates for otoplasty may be anyone who feels self-conscious about their ears and wants to improve their appearance. Although the operation is most often performed on children aged four to fourteen, this procedure can be very beneficial to people of all ages. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and early surgery can prevent a child from being teased in school. It is also important that you are in good general health and have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure. Discuss your goals of otoplasty with Dr. Kurtzman so you can achieve the results you desire.
Procedure
Otoplasty is also known as ear pinning. The procedure generally takes two to three hours and is performed on an outpatient basis. The type of anesthesia used typically depends on the age of the patient. General anesthesia is recommended for very young patients, while local anesthesia and a sedative may be used for older children and adults.
The otoplasty procedure begins with a small incision made behind the ear located in the natural crease where the ear meets the head. The cartilage is then sculpted and bent into its new position to achieve the desired appearance. In some types of otoplasty, skin is removed but the cartilage is left in one piece and merely bent back on itself for a smaller looking ear. After sculpting the cartilage to the preferred shape, sutures are used to hold the ear in the new position until healing is complete. A bandage is then wrapped around the head to ensure the new positioning. To achieve better symmetry, both ears may be operated on even if only one has a problem.
Recovery
A few days after the otoplasty procedure, the bandages around your head will be replaced with a surgical dressing that should be worn for approximately one week. The stitches will be removed within one week. Otoplasty patients should avoid sleeping on their side for the first two weeks after surgery.
Patients of all ages usually feel back to normal after a few hours, although the ears may ache or throb for a few days. Prescription medication will be made available to help alleviate any discomfort. After about one week following otoplasty, children may return to school and adults are often able to return to work and resume normal daily activities. After the ears have healed completely, there is usually a faint scar on the back of the ears. Because of the strategic placement of the incisions in ear surgery, the scars are virtually unnoticeable and typically fade with time.
Risks and Complications
As with all surgeries, there are risks associated with otoplasty. A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. This clot generally dissolves naturally or can be treated with a needle. Another potential risk is an infection in the cartilage which can cause scar tissue to form. This infection can usually be treated with antibiotics but may occasionally require surgery. Also, you should not expect your new ears to match exactly; even natural ears are not identical. Complications are rare and usually minor. They can typically be minimized by choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon and by carefully following your surgeon’s post-surgical care instructions.