Reshaping Your Ears

People, especially children, are sensitive about protruding or deformed ears. Anyone who has ever been called “Dumbo” or “Spock” because of the shape or size of the ears can relate to the embarrassment some ear deformities can cause. Otoplasty is the name for the number of surgeries that make up ear plastic surgery, and can resolve many self-esteem and image issues. Pinning back protruding ears and reducing and reshaping the ear through surgery are the top otoplasty procedures.

Luckily for children who are sensitive to teasing, surgery can be performed after about age five. Your initial consultation should help to answer any questions or concerns you have about undergoing ear surgery. Be sure to arrive prepared with a list of questions to ask your potential surgeon.

Procedure
Otoplasty, also known as pinnaplasty, refers to the shaping or repositioning of the ear to aid in the treatment of both misshapen and protruding ear problems. Pinnaplasty involves sculpting the ear to bend the ear back towards the head, while reshaping the ear may include removing skin and cartilage to sculpt a more pleasing ear shape or reduce outcropping. An incision is made in the back of the ear to expose the cartilage, and some cartilage may be removed or folded in to create the ideal shape, then sutured closed to fold and reshape the ear.

Recovery
Ear cosmetic can surgery take from one to three hours to perform, and is done using local anesthetic. However; children undergoing this procedure usually receive general anesthetic. Not considered painful, patients wear tight bandages after surgery for about 24 hours, and then graduate to wearing a ski-like band around the head to protect and support healing ears for about a week until sutures are removed or dissolve on their own. Patients will typically wear this band overnight for up to two weeks to protect healing ears.

Scars are not visible, as incisions are usually only made behind the ears. This is not considered a painful treatment, however patients do not typically return to work or school for about a week after surgery. Any activity that may endanger healing should be avoided for about one month.

Cost
Fees for otoplasty and pinnaplasty can vary depending on the extent of the procedure, and range from $1000 for a simple procedure to about $3000 for a more complicated surgery. There may be medical insurance that will cover some types of otoplasty, so find out what will medical insurance will cover from your insurance provider and your doctor.

Risk
All medical procedures consist of some risk, and while the ear is not a major organ, surgery can involve some risk. Blood clotting and infection can be a concern, as with any surgical procedure. To help manage risk and ensure your recovery is smooth, make sure you’re well informed and have consulted clearly with your surgeon to understand the risks and how to prevent problems.

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