How do I correct overly prominent ears?
Overly prominent ears can make patients feel self-conscious and for younger patients may be the subject of teasing and even bullying by their peers. Otoplasty is a surgical procedure to improve the appearance of prominent ears by restoring a normal shape and repositioning the ear closer to the head. There is currently no effective non-surgical way to correct prominent ears.
What causes ears to stick out too far?
The most common reasons for ears to “stick out” are overdevelopment of the concha or “bowl” of the ear and/or lack of a fully formed antihelical fold. The surgery to correct these problems can be done at any point after the ears reach their full size, usually about age 8. Younger patients require general anesthesia while teens and adults can usually tolerate the surgery fine with local anesthetic and either oral or IV sedation.
Is the Otoplasty incision visible after surgery?
For most Otoplasty operations and incision is made behind the ear where it is completely hidden. The skin is elevated and the ear cartilage can then be modified by reshaping or reducing the amount of cartilage present, analogous to modifying nasal cartilage in a rhinoplasty. The reshaped cartilage is then anchored into place with suture and the incision closed.
What is recovery for Otoplasty?
Recovery from Otoplasty is short with most patients feeling fine in one to two days. There is some swelling and bruising but it is easily covered with hair or a cap. Patients are asked to wear a headband or stocking cap for the first few weeks at night to ensure that the ears do not become folded or pulled on while sleeping. Results are permanent.
What do patients look like after Otoplasty?
Check out our Otoplasty before and after gallery.
Otoplasty can be one of the most satisfying procedures that we do at Beaty Facial Plastic Surgery, giving patients a renewed sense of confidence and the freedom to wear any hairstyle they wish.
