Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Confidence in Yourself and Your Surgeon

Experience matters. Otoplasty improves the appearance of the ears for patients of all ages without affecting hearing to boost self-confidence. This procedure can sculpt the shape and size of the ears for those with ear injuries or who are simply unhappy with the appearance of their large, uneven or misshapen ears.

Otoplasty is typically performed to correct and reposition protruding ears. With the ears permanently positioned closer to the head, patients appreciate a more balanced result.

With his advanced experience and skill, Dr. Alexander has also constructed new ears for patients who are missing them from injury or other causes.

The best candidates for the otoplasty procedure are patients who feel self-conscious about the appearance of their ears. Since the ears are usually done growing by the age of four, this procedure can be successfully performed on young children with no affect on their growth and development. Parents often choose to have this procedure performed on their child at a young age to avoid any potential teasing at school.

It is also important for patients to be in good general health and have realistic expectations about the otoplasty procedure. Dr. Alexander will discuss the details and expected outcome with you before surgery.

Otoplasty Procedure

Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning, generally takes two to three hours and is performed on an outpatient basis. The type of anesthesia used typically depends on the age of the patient. General anesthesia in some cases is usually recommended, however local anesthesia and a sedative may be used in other cases.

The otoplasty procedure begins with a small incision made behind the ear, in the natural crease where the ear meets the head. The cartilage is then sculpted and bent into its new position to achieve the desired appearance. In some types of otoplasty, skin is removed but the cartilage is left in one piece and merely bent back on itself for a smaller-looking ear.

After sculpting the cartilage to the preferred shape, Dr. Alexander uses sutures to hold the ear in the new position until healing is complete. A bandage is then wrapped around the head to ensure the new positioning. Dr. Alexander will discuss all details of the procedure with you during your pre-surgical consultation.

Recovery from Otoplasty

Patients of all ages usually feel back to normal after a few hours, although the ears may ache or throb for a few days. Prescription medication will be made available to help alleviate any discomfort.

A few days after the otoplasty procedure, the bandages around your head will be replaced with a surgical dressing that should be worn for one to two weeks. The stitches are often dissolvable. Otoplasty patients should avoid sleeping on their side for the first two weeks after surgery.

After about one week following otoplasty, children may return to school and adults are often able to return to work and resume normal daily activities. Exercise and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least four to six weeks. After the ears have healed completely, there will usually be a faint scar on the back of the ears. However, because of the strategic placement of the incisions in ear surgery, the scars should be virtually unnoticeable and will typically fade with time. Dr. Alexander will do his best to ensure that all patients experience a quick and comfortable recovery from otoplasty.

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