Ear Surgery

Other
Medical
Procedures

Birthmark Removal
Breast Enlargement
Breast Reconstruction
Breast Reduction
Ear Surgery
Eye Surgery
Facial Implants
Facial Surgery
Hair Removal
Hair Restoration
Liposuction
Nasal Surgery
Penile Implants
Skin Resurfacing (Chemical)
Skin Resurfacing (Laser)
Soft Tissue Implants
Tatoo Removal
Tummy Tuck (Major)
Tummy Tuck (Minor)
Vein Treatment

AKA: Otoplasty

Otoplasty (ear surgery):

Otoplasty is usually performed to set ears closer to the head or reduce the size of the ear. Most surgeries are performed on children between the ages of 4-14. Ears are fully grown by age 4. Surgery can be performed on adults as well.

Ear Problems:

There are a variety of ear problems that can be corrected with ear surgery. Other than protruding ears, surgery can help “lope ear”, when the tip folds down and forward; “cupped ear”, which usually is a small ear; “shell ear”, when the folds and creases of the outer ear may be missing. Large or stretched ear lobes can also be repaired. New ears can also be formed if needed.

The Procedure

There are 2 basic types of ear surgery. One involves removing cartilage from the ear and the other is when skin is removed from the ear.

Cartilage removal method:

The surgeon will make an incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. The cartilage will then be formed into shape and bent further back towards the head. Permanent stitches may be used to hold the ear in place. Some cartilage may be removed to establish the desired size and shape.

Skin removal method:

This technique involves making an incision in the back of the ear and removing some skin. The cartilage is folded back onto itself to reshape the ear. Stitches are used to hold the ear in place.

For both procedures a faint scar may appear in the back of the ear. The type of anesthesia used depends on the age of the patient and your surgeon.

Recuperation

Bulky bandages will be wrapped around the patients head to hold the ears in place. The ears may ache and throb for a few days. In a few days the dressing will be replaced with smaller ones. In a week stitches, other than permanent ones, may be removed or dissolve depending on what type the surgeon used. Your surgeon may request that work or school cannot be resumed for a week.

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Also Known As (AKA)

Otoplasty