Otoplasty
Otoplasty, or ear reshaping surgery, is a cosmetic procedure to enhance the appearance of the ears. It corrects issues like protruding, unusually shaped, or disproportionate ears. Performed on one or both ears, the results are usually permanent.
Quick Info
- 2 hour surgery.
- 1 week recovery.
Otoplasty
Prominent or protruding ears can be a source of embarrassment for the individual with this condition. Otoplasty is the medical name for the plastic surgery procedure used to “set back” or “pin” the ears. It is a procedure with a high degree of satisfaction as the individual no longer has to worry about the shape of their ears. Otoplasty surgery does not affect the hearing of the individual.
The reason the ears protrude is because a structure of the ear called the antihelix (see diagram) does not fold completely causing the ears to “stick out”. The surgery involves folding the antihelix correctly with sutures so the ear is positioned closed to the head.
Age for Otoplasty
Reshaping ears can be performed on children or adults. Generally, the child needs to be 16 years old before having the surgery. This is because earlier than age 16 the child’s ear cartilage is too thin to reliably hold the sutures that are used to keep the ears in their new position.
The Otoplasty Surgery
The surgery for an otoplasty is usually done with you under a general anesthetic (children are always done with general anesthesia) so you are unaware of any portion of the procedure. A small incision is made on the backside of the ear and permanent sutures are used to bend the ear and hold it in the corrected position. Sometimes a small section of the ear cartilage is also removed to assist with the ear repositioning. Long acting numbing medicine is given at the end of the procedure so there is no discomfort immediately after surgery. Dissolving stitches are used to close the skin incision in otoplasty procedures.
After otoplasty surgery
The healing process takes about 1 week before the swelling and bruising from the otoplasty subsides. However, one can return to activity in a day or two. One needs to be careful not to put the ears at risk for injury with too much activity for about 2 months after the procedure to insure adequate time to fully heal.
Schedule a Consultation for an Otoplasty
Contact Beautologie Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Aesthetics in Bakersfield for more information on Otoplasty.
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FAQ
Good candidates for otoplasty include individuals who are self-conscious about the appearance of their ears, have fully developed ears, and are in good overall health. The procedure is most commonly performed on children but we offer the otoplasty for adults.
Otoplasty can correct a range of ear-related issues, such as protruding ears, asymmetrical ears, large earlobes, and misshapen ears.
The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient's preference.
The recovery time for otoplasty can vary depending on the extent of the procedure and the individual patient. Generally, patients can expect to take a few days off work or school and avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for several weeks following the procedure.
Like any surgical procedure, otoplasty carries some risks, such as infection, bleeding, anesthesia complications, and scarring. Choosing a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon and following all pre- and post-operative instructions can help minimize these risks.
The results of otoplasty are typically long-lasting, and in many cases, the results are permanent. However, natural aging and other factors can affect the results over time.
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