Otoplasty

Otoplasty Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery to correct prominent ears, called “otoplasty,” can be done at any age after five years. By five, the ear cartilage is strong enough to withstand surgery and has reached its adult size. Special suture techniques allow an otoplasty surgeon to reshape the ear cartilage into a natural shape.Most patients are treated with a head dressing for the first day and then can usually use a head band to keep the ears comfortable for about a week.

Cosmetic Surgery: Otoplasty

Ears that stick out can be a source of teasing to a child as early as school age. Even with age, large ears or malshaped ears that pained us during childhood can cause feelings of self-consciousness regarding our appearance.Prominent ears often are an inherited trait. Approximately 25% of children whose parents have prominent ears will also have them.

Otoplasty

A child with protruding or misshapen ears is certainly one of the most poignant needs for cosmetic surgery at an early age. The teasing they inevitably have to endure from classmates is painful and can affect self-esteem well into adulthood. Ear surgery or otoplasty is a procedure that can correct shape and protrusion problems caused either by genetics or traumatic injury in children, teens and adults.It is commonly agreed that the time to have the surgery done for children is “the sooner, the better.” Children’s ears are generally fully developed and stable by age five or six, but their ear cartilage is much softer and therefore more pliable than an adult’s. Since this cartilage often must be cut and reshaped in the procedure, the child’s softer cartilage will more easily allow for this remolding.The position, proportion, shape and symmetry of adult ears can also be corrected or restored through otoplasty. The procedure is often done in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery to create a more pleasing balance of facial features. The best candidates for this surgery are adults or children who are in good general health, have no untreated chronic ear infections, are emotionally mature enough to understand what is being done, and have realistic expectations about what this procedure can do for them. Otoplasty does not solve hearing problems and more than one procedure may be necessary to correct some deformities and to ensure optimum results. Otoplasty surgery generally takes about a half hour per ear and is usually performed on children using general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is typical for adults, and the procedure . The incisions for otoplasty are generally placed behind the ears where it will be well hidden within the fold of the ear and behind hair. Some corrections and techniques may involve incisions in the front of the ear which are also conveniently obscured by the natural curves. Non-removable sutures or stitches are used to hold the repositioned, reshaped tissues and cartilage in their new place. Removable external sutures close the outside incisions. Selfie Plastic Surgery will personalize the technique for each patient depending on their particular needs and goals.Some discomfort and swelling following surgery is normal and will be managed with pain medication. The patient’s ears will be bandaged with soft dressings and patients will be asked to avoid undue pressure on their ears by not sleeping on their side. A headband to help protect and support the reshaping of the ears will replace the bandages and is usually worn for about a week to ensure the ears are properly held in their new position. Patients can usually return to school or work in a week and resume their normal activities in one to two weeks.