Ears — Some Fast Facts About Otoplasty

Dr. Sumit Bapna · September 12, 2019

Posted In: Ears

If you feel self-conscious about your ears, there is a surprisingly simple solution.

Otoplasty—or cosmetic ear surgery—is a procedure to improve the shape, size, and proportion of the ears. It can be performed on one or both ears to bring balance to the appearance and the rest of your face.

Here are some fast facts about getting your ears done:

Otoplasty is an option for ears both young and old

Ear surgery is commonly performed on children at an early age to prevent teasing about their appearance, which can have a detrimental effect on a child’s psyche. In such cases, reconstructive or corrective ear surgery can be life changing—kids can do better in school and feel better socially. Although ear cartilage is most malleable at a young age, the procedure is not limited to children. Individuals can successfully undergo ear surgery later in life, as well.

Common reasons for considering otoplasty

Otoplasty can help bring better proportion to the face for ears that are large and stick out too much. It can also be used to correct folded ear tips and reshape long or asymmetrical earlobes, or other irregularities that may be congenital, genetic or a result of traumatic injury.

General procedure

Also commonly referred to as “ear pinning,” the standard otoplasty procedure brings the ears closer to the head. The cartilage located behind the ears is reshaped in order to position them closer to the head; the ears are then pinned in place with permanent sutures. During a reshaping procedure, additional cartilage may be removed.

The procedure typically takes about one to two hours, depending upon the extent of surgery and the condition you are trying to correct. There are several surgical approaches to and techniques involved in correcting irregularities other than protruding ears.

Benefits of otoplasty

Otoplasty can provide dramatic results with no visible scarring. It is considered one of the safest facial surgical procedures and the recovery period is relatively short and not too painful. Of course, the major benefit the procedure offers is feeling better about your appearance and improved confidence.

You don’t have to feel uncomfortable about the way your ears look. If you’ve been considering otoplasty, give our office a call to learn more or schedule a consultation. We can discuss your concerns and help you identify the best treatment path for your needs.