What is Ear Surgery

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

ear surgery 'otoplasty'

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear. It can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth, or it can treat misshapen ears caused by injury.

What is ear surgery?

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear.

otoplasty can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth that becomes apparent with development or it can treat misshapen ears caused by injury. 

Ear surgery creates a natural shape, while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem.

If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery.

Specifically ear surgery can treat:

• Overly large ears — a rare condition called macrotia
• Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees — not associated with hearing loss
• Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery

Ear surgery words to know

 Antihelical fold

A fold that is just inside the rim of the ear.

Conchal cartilage

The largest and deepest concavity of the external ear.

Constricted ear

Also called a lop or cup ear, has varying degrees of protrusion, reduced ear circumference, folding or flattening of the upper helical rim, and lowered ear position.

Cryptotia

Also called hidden ear, occurs when the upper rim of the ear is buried beneath a fold of scalp secondary to abnormal folding of the upper ear cartilage toward the head. The folding is the reverse of that commonly seen in the protruding ear.

Ear axis

The main line of ear growth.

General anesthesia

Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.

Intravenous sedation

Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.

Macrotia

Overly large ears; a rare condition.

Microtia

The most complex congenital ear deformity when the outer ear appears as either a sausage-shaped structure resembling little more than the earlobe, or has more recognizable parts of the concha and tragus or other normal ear features. It may or may not be missing the external auditory or hearing canal. Hearing is impaired to varying degrees.

Otoplasty

A surgical procedure also known as ear surgery to improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear.

Stahl's ear

An ear that is distorted in shape due to an abnormal fold of cartilage.

Questions to ask your plastic surgeon

Use this checklist as a guide during your consultation:

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Were you specially trained in the field of plastic surgery?
• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure? If so, at which hospitals?
• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally or state recognized accrediting agency, or is state licensed or Medicare-certified?
• How many procedures of this type have you performed?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• What shape, size, surface texturing, incision site and placement site are recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with this procedure?
• How are complications handled?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the outcome of my ear surgery?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for each procedure and what are reasonable results?

Ear surgery risks and safety

The decision to have ear surgery is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. 

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery.

You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo, the alternatives and the most likely risks and potential complications.

Some of the risks include:

• Bleeding (hematoma)
• Blood clots
• Asymmetry
• Infection
• Poor wound healing
• Change in skin sensation
• Skin contour irregularities
• Skin discoloration/swelling
• Anesthesia risks
• Unfavorable scarring
• Allergies to tape, suture materials, glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
• Pain, which may persist
• Possibility of revisional surgery

Be sure to ask questions: It’s very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

What will my ear surgery incisions and scars be like?

What will my ear surgery incisions and scars be like?

The location of your incisions will depend largely on what changes you wish to make. However, you can expect the incisions to be made in inconspicuous locations, either in the back of your ear where it connects to the head, or within the inner folds of your ear.

How is a ear surgery procedure performed?

In children, the cartilage is soft enough that splints can be used for contouring during surgery. This is typically done under general anesthesia. Adults, however, have harder cartilage, and the procedure must be carried out by removing or repositioning cartilage after making a small incision in the ear.

Depending on your anatomy and desired changes, your doctor may make an incision hidden inside or behind the ear. Extra cartilage or soft tissue that makes the ear "stick out" too much can be removed. If normal folds are missing from the ear, they can be re-created by shaping the cartilage with permanent sutures or scraping the cartilage to contour it. Sometimes a combination of techniques is needed to get the desired result.

1. Surgery from the back of the ear shows from left to right
1. Incisions are made to excise extra skin and fat
2. Cartilage is recontoured and brought into position
3. Stitches close incision
2. Surgery seen from the front of the ear shows that reshaped cartilage restores a natural shape to the ear and allows the ear to lie flatter against the head.
3. Before: Large, oversized or uneven ears can be more noticeable on children and lead to self-confidence issues.
4. After: Otoplasty can be performed on children as young as five or six to correct large ears that stick out from the head.

Are you a good candidate for ear surgery?

Are you a good candidate for ear surgery?

The following are some common reasons why you may want to consider ear surgery:

• If your ears have reached their full size, which usually happens around age six. Children are common patients for this procedure.
• A set-back otoplasty, which is a procedure to reduce the prominence of ears that stick out too much, can be performed on adults as well as children.

If you are in good general health, have a positive attitude and realistic expectations, you are most likely a good candidate for this procedure.

Ear plastic surgery Consideratons

Considerations

Pros

• Ear surgery can improve the shape and proportion of your ears.
• Ear surgery can provide a boost to your self-confidence and is a low-risk procedure that can be performed on children over the age of five.
• Results generally last a lifetime with minimal fluctuations.

Cons

• Young children might have trouble dealing with aftercare and recovery.
• Ear symmetry may be affected.
• Permanent scarring or numbness of the ear or face may result.

These are the top three pros and cons to weigh when considering ear surgery. If you want to focus on what is unique to you, please consult with your aesthetic plastic surgeon.

Ear surgery candidates & when to consider it

Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

• Healthy, without a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
• Generally 5 years old, or when a child’s ear cartilage is stable enough for correction
• Cooperative and follow instructions well
• Able to communicate their feelings and do not voice objections when surgery is discussed

Teenagers and adults who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for ear surgery

Ear surgery is a highly individualized procedure and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

When to Consider Ear Surgery

• If you were born with overly large or small ears
• If your ears are disproportionate to your head or oddly placed
• If your ears stick out prominently
• If you have suffered an injury that has negatively impacted the shape or positioning of your ears

What is Plastic Ear Surgery

Ear Surgery

Also known as otoplasty or ear reshaping

ear plastic surgery

Cosmetic surgery of the ear, or otoplasty, is an aesthetic procedure that alters the size, position, or proportion of the ears. The outcome of ear reshaping surgery varies greatly depending on the changes that are desired, but these procedures generally improve self-confidence, especially in children and teenagers. If the ears stick out, ear pinning can be performed to flatten the ears against the head. If one ear is positioned higher than the other, ear repositioning can create symmetry. Large, oversized ears can be addressed alone or in conjunction with other ear issues.