Ear surgery typically serves two functions: setting prominent ears back closer to the head, and reducing the size of large ears. Surgery may also be helpful for “lop ear," "cupped ear" and "shell ear,” microtia, large or stretched earlobes, and lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons are also able to construct new ears for patients who are missing them from injury or other causes.
Although surgery for adults is available, the operation is most often performed on children aged four to 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and early surgery can prevent a child from being teased in school.
The Procedure
Otoplasty lasts from two to three hours and may be performed in a hospital, office-based facility or an outpatient surgery center. General anesthesia is recommended for very young patients, while local anesthesia and a sedative are used for older children and adults.
During surgery, a small incision is made behind the ear, revealing the cartilage which is then sculpted, bent into its new position and stitched into place. 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. To achieve better balance, both ears may be operated on even if only one has a problem.
Recovery
Patients of all ages usually feel back to normal after a few hours, although the ears may ache or throb for a few days. A bandage is wrapped around the head to ensure the new positioning. The surgical dressing is left in place for 5-7 days, after which it will be removed along with any external stitches.
Otoplasty leaves a faint scar on each ear that fades with time. You should not expect your new ears to match exactly; even normal, natural ears are not identical.
Complications are rare and usually minor, but may include blood clots and cartilage infection.
» Learn more about Otoplasty from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
» For more information on Otoplasty (Ear Surgery), please click here
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Chin implants reshape the chin to help provide a harmonious balance to the facial features. Many times a plastic surgeon may recommend chin enhancement to a patient having nose surgery in order to achieve a more satisfying facial proportion, since the size of the chin may magnify or minimize the perceived size of the nose and vice versa.
» Learn more about Chin Implants from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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