2 Connector Road / Suite 2C / Westborough / MA 01581 / 508.366.2020
Probably no other physical characteristic cries out for facial plastic surgery more than protruding ears. Children, long the victims of cruel nicknames like “Dumbo” or “Mickey Mouse,” are the most likely candidates for otoplasty, but this surgery can be performed at any age after the ears have reached full size, usually around five to six years of age. Even if the ears are only mildly distorted, the condition can lead to self-consciousness and poor adaptation to school. When it comes to otoplasty, conventional wisdom is the earlier the better.
Adults may also benefit from this procedure, which improves self-esteem with relative ease. Often, adults choose this surgery in conjunction with other facial plastic surgical procedures. Not only is it possible to “pin back” ears, but ears can also be reshaped, reduced in size, or made more symmetrical.
When considering otoplasty, parents must be confident that they have their child's best interests at heart. A positive attitude toward the surgery is an important factor in all facial plastic surgery, but it is especially critical when the patient is a child or adolescent.
Adult candidates for otoplasty should understand that the firmer cartilage of fully developed ears does not provide the same molding capacity as in children. A consultation with Dr. Ahn can help parents decide what is best for their child, not only aesthetically, but also psychologically and physically. Timing is always an important consideration. Having the procedure at a young age is highly desirable in two respects: the cartilage is extremely pliable, thereby permitting greater ease of shaping; and secondly, the child will experience psychological benefits from the cosmetic improvement.
Surgery begins with an incision just behind the ear, in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head. Dr. Ahn will then remove the necessary amounts of cartilage and skin required to achieve the right effect. In some cases, he will trim the cartilage, shaping it into a more desirable form and then pin the cartilage back with permanent sutures to secure the cartilage.
In other instances, Dr. Ahn will not remove any cartilage at all, using stitches to hold the cartilage permanently in place. After sculpting the cartilage to the desired shape, he will apply sutures to anchor the ear until healing occurs to hold the ear in the desired position.
Soft dressings applied to the ears will remain for a few days. Most patients experience some mild discomfort. If you are accustomed to sleeping on your side, your sleep patterns may be disrupted for a week or so because you cannot put any pressure on the ear areas. Headbands are sometimes recommended to hold the ears in the desired position for two weeks after the surgery.
The risks are minimal. There will be a thin white scar behind the ear after healing. Because this scar is in a natural crease behind the ear, the problem of visibility is inconsequential. Anything unusual should be reported to Dr. Ahn immediately.
Otoplasty may be performed once the ears have reached their full size. This usually occurs around age five or six. Adults are also candidates for otoplasty, though they should be aware that mature ears have firmer cartilage that has less molding capacity than in children.
Patients usually experience some mild discomfort after undergoing otoplasty.
While the incisions made for otoplasty do result in scars, they are discreetly located behind the ear within the natural fold where the head and ear meet. After healing, the incision will fade to a thin white scar that is nearly invisible.
For otoplasty, both ears are usually treated even if only one appears to be protruding. This will allow for the most symmetrical and natural-looking result. Dr. Ahn makes the incision just behind the ear within the natural fold where the ear and head meet. Certain amounts of cartilage and skin are then removed in order to achieve the desired appearance. The cartilage may be trimmed, reshaped and pinned back with permanent sutures. In other cases, cartilage may not be removed and, instead, sutures will be used to hold the cartilage in place.
Under normal conditions, otoplasty takes about two hours to perform.
Otoplasty, or ear surgery, is a procedure which can improve the appearance of protruding ears. The surgery can "pin back" the ears, reshape the ears, reduce them in size, or make them more symmetrical. Otoplasty can be particularly beneficial when performed at earlier ages given that even mildly distorted ears can result in self-consciousness and poor adaptation at school.
Dr. Ahn typically uses general anesthesia when performing otoplasty on young patients. For older children and adults, he often uses a combination of a local anesthetic and a mild sedative.
Soft dressings applied to the ears after the otoplasty surgery will be removed after a few days. In some cases, a headband may need to be worn for two weeks to hold the ears in their desired position. Some mild discomfort can be expected, and sleeping may be interrupted for patients accustomed to sleeping on their side.
During the consultation for otoplasty, Dr. Ahn will examine the structure of your ears and discuss the possibilities available for correcting the problems as well as the expected outcome. He will take special care to educate you about the otoplasty surgery and address any questions or concerns that you may have. If the patient is a child, he will help the parent to decide if surgery is best for the child.
The incision is made behind the ear within the natural fold where the ear and head meet.
Individuals looking to improve the appearance of protruding ears may be good candidates for otoplasty. The surgery may be performed once the ears have reached their full size which is typically around the age of five or six. Performing the surgery early on can be very beneficial, sparing children the self-consciousness and teasing often associated with protruding ears. Otoplasty may also be performed on adults with excellent benefits, though patients should be aware that the firmer cartilage of fully developed ears is not as easily molded as in children.
  Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery) |   Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery) | ||
  Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery) |   Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery) | ||
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