Otoplasty/Ear Pinning
While the outer ear has a minor role in helping us to hear, it can majorly contribute to an individual’s appearance. If you are unhappy with the look of your ears due to ears that are too prominent or too protruding, leading to self-consciousness, you may benefit from otoplasty, or ear pinning, which is a great way to correct prominent ears. Anyone from children, as young as age five., to adults can benefit from this procedure for long-lasting results and a boost in self-esteem! Walker MD Facial Plastic Surgery is located 19 minutes from Downtown Atlanta and 16 minutes from Buckhead.
What is an Otoplasty?
Otoplasty refers to a procedure that changes the shape, proportion, or size of your ears. A defect in the ideal ear structure may be present at birth or become apparent with development, either of which can be corrected by otoplasty. This surgery can also treat traumatically-acquired ear shape issues. It is one of the few cosmetic procedures that may be performed in children or minors in addition to adults to keep children from being bullied and to prevent or treat self-esteem issues as they grow up. The goal of this outpatient operation is to set a prominent ear back and/or restore a more normal ear contour for better proportions to the opposite ear and face. Results are immediate with permanent improvement to maximize facial harmony and symmetry. Correction of even minor deformities can have a profound impact on appearance and self-esteem. If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider an otoplasty.
Otoplasty can treat the following issues:
- Protruding ears that occur on one or both sides.
- Ears that are overly large (macrotia).
- Unhappiness with previous ear surgery.
Who is a Good Candidate for an Otoplasty?
Children, teenagers, and adults can benefit from otoplasty surgery. Overall, candidates will be healthy, non-smokers who are able to communicate their feelings and specific goals regarding surgery.
Otoplasty is a highly customized procedure for each person to address concerns about protruding ears, prominent ears, or ear asymmetries. If you are considering this procedure, be sure to do it for yourself, not for someone else, nor to fit into an idealized image.
Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:
- Healthy, without a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections.
- Five years old, or when a child’s ear cartilage is stable enough for correction.
- Cooperative and follow instructions well.
- Able to communicate their emotions and do not voice objections when surgery is discussed.
Teenagers and adults who are good candidates for ear surgery are:
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing.
- Individuals with a positive outlook and specific surgical goals.
- Nonsmokers.
- Individuals with prominent or protruding ears or lack of normal ear contours.
- Clients with realistic expectations.
The best way to determine your candidacy for otoplasty is to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Thomas Walker. He will carefully examine your ears, taking into account your medical history and age to determine the best treatment option for you.
How is an Otoplasty Procedure Done?
Otoplasty surgery can be performed under local, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. Dr. Walker will speak with you regarding your options and will help you choose the selection you feel most comfortable with. Correction of protruding ears generally employs surgical techniques to (1) create or increase a fold of the ear known as the “antihelical fold” just inside the rim of the ear and to (2) reduce prominent conchal cartilage (the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear). Incisions for otoplasty are well hidden and typically made behind your ear(s). When incisions are necessary on the front of the ear, which is quite rare, they are made within folds to camouflage them. Ear cartilage is contoured and secured in its new proper position with internal suture placement to “pin back” the ear(s) and recreate normal ear curvatures as needed. Internal sutures are permanent without the need for removal, whereas external sutures are placed behind the ear to close the incision and require removal after the first week. The surgical techniques are highly customized to each person, taking care not to distort other structures and to avoid an unnatural “pinned back” appearance. The procedure usually takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes per ear.
Otoplasty Recovery
Patients are able to go home the same day after an otoplasty procedure. Ear surgery results are immediate and noticed once the dressing comes off after a week and most of the swelling will have subsided. You will be given specific instructions that may include how to take care of your ears following surgery, medications to apply or take orally to aid healing and reduce the risk of infection, and when to follow-up with Dr. Walker.
At the end of the procedure, a head dressing is applied that is worn for the first 1-3 days, which will then be removed and a clean headband needs to be worn 24 hours a day for the first week. Incisions are cleaned and antibiotic ointment is applied several times a day until the sutures are removed after the first week. Bruising and swelling are usually minimal even though some soreness is common. After the first week, the headband needs to be worn at night only for an additional month or so for best results and to protect the ears from any pulling on the internal sutures. This helps keep the ears in proper position as well. Results are obvious as soon as the bandaging is removed. Normal, non-contact activities may be resumed after approximately two weeks. It is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, sunlight or tanning bed light, abrasion, or motion during the time of healing. Be sure to follow Dr. Walker’s instructions closely to optimize your results and minimize your chance of complications. It’s also prudent to attend your follow-up visits as scheduled.
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Schedule Your Consultation
If you would like to learn more about our Atlanta otoplasty, contact Dr. Walker’s office today to schedule your consultation appointment. As a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Walker has the necessary skills and experience to ensure you receive the natural-looking results you desire.
