How Can I Benefit from Otoplasty or Ear Surgery?
Many people feel that their ears are too large, or that their ears stick out to far from their head. Because of this, they often suffer from low self esteem – or in the case of children – teasing and ridicule from other children.
This problem can be easily fixed by a surgical procedure know as otoplasty, or ear surgery, as it is commonly called. This relatively safe and simple procedure –complications are infrequent and are usually minor – can help to give people with larger or prominent ears the look that they want, raising their self-esteem and ending any issues they may face.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Because this surgery is often performed on younger children, the question is more often "Is my child a candidate?" The best way to determine the answer, is to really listen to your child, and see how they feel about the way they look. If you child feels uncomfortable about the size or shape of their ears, they will generally let you know. It has been our experience that children who want the surgery are generally more cooperative leading up to and during the surgery, and also generally feel better about the outcome.
If you are interested in having the surgery yourself, you will probably be able to determine your interest in the surgery fairly easily. Although results are not always perfect, people are generally very pleased with the outcome of their surgery, and find that it can greatly improve their appearance. The best way to find out if you are a good candidate for otoplasty is to schedule a consultation with our doctors, who can help you understand how they can help you improve your appearance.
Other Ear Problems
Although problems with large or protruding ears are the most common issues fixed with surgery, there are many other issues that we can help with as well, including:
Lop Ears - When the tip of the ear folds forward and down
Cupped Ears - Generally characterized as a smaller than normal ear
Shell Ears - When the curve in the outer ear and natural folds of the ear are missing
Large or Stretched Earlobes
Large Creases or Wrinkles
Completely Missing Ears - Can be completely rebuilt
Before the Surgery
Before your ear surgery, you will meet with either Dr. Wilcox or Dr. Dulin. They will discuss your problem with you in detail, and then recommend the method of surgery that will work the best for you. Even if only one ear is problematic, surgery will generally be performed on both ears in order to ensure symmetry. At this time they will also give you specific directions to follow before the surgery, and also discuss your expected outcome after the surgery.
The Surgery
Although each surgery is different based on each individual patients needs, generally speaking an otoplasty procedure will take between three and four hours. In one of the more common techniques, your surgeon will make a small incision in the back of your ear in order to expose the cartilage. This cartilage will then be sculpted and bent back towards the head in order to get the look you want. Depending on the degree of change required, pieces of cartilage may also be removed, or permanent staples may be added. The incision will then be stitched closed. This process will produce a more natural-looking set of ears, although a small scar on the back of the ear may remain, which should fade out over time.
After the Surgery
After the surgery, you will generally be up within a few hours. Your head will usually be wrapped in a bulky bandage for the first couple of days, and will then be replaced by a smaller bandage. Adults should be able to return to work after about five days, and children will be able to return to school after about a week, at about the same time stitches are removed. Care should be taken for about a month after the surgery, and activity that bends the ears should be avoided.
An incision is made in the back of the ear so cartilage can be sculpted or folded. Stitches are used to close the incision and help maintain the new shape. Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.
