Ear Surgery/Otoplasty
Otoplasty, or ear-pinback, is used to improve the appearance of the ears, placing them in better alignment with the face. It is one of the few cosmetic surgeries performed on children, as well as adults. It repositions prominent ears closer to the head so that they don't protrude. The procedure also serves to make ears symmetrical and to correct any deformities that may exist.
Otoplasty Overview
Otoplasty reduces the size of large ears or sets prominent ears back closer to the head. Ear surgery is commonly done on children between ages 4 and 14 years old.
The type of incisions used for ear surgery will depend on the problem, and even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance. For one of the common techniques, a surgeon makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose cartilage, then sculpts the cartilage, bending it back toward the head; occasionally removing a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold. Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear, skin removal, and stitches used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage. Ear surgery is more commonly performed on young children after the age of 4, because the ear is almost fully developed. However, teenagers and adults are also excellent candidates for this procedure.
This is an outpatient procedure, which can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The length of time for otoplasty is 2-3 hours. Recovery normally takes 1-2 weeks and results can be noticed after a few months.
Your Recovery
Temporary throbbing, aching, swelling, redness and numbness are common temporary experiences. You will be advised not to sleep on your side to reduce pressure on the ear, and to wear a "skier's type" headband to keep ears protected as you heal. You will be ready to go back to work or school in 5 to 7days. Strenuous activity and contact sports should be refrained for 1 to 2 months.
Risks
Infection of cartilage, excess scarring, or bleeding are unusual complications. Mismatched or artificial-looking ears might result, requiring repeat surgery to correct the recurrence of protrusion.
