Ear Surgery and Otoplasty Information by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in Los Angeles County
About Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a common procedure which is typically used to tuck prominent, protruding or misshapen ears back closer to the head to give them a better appearance. The size of large ears may also be reduced. The procedure can make a significant improvement in the appearance, especially of small children who may face significant social teasing and taunting from friends for their “Dumbo ears.”
Most procedures are performed on children around the age of 5-7 years old, although the procedure is also commonly performed on older children and adults as well. No additional risks are generally present in adults any more than in children for this type of procedure.
About the Surgery
The procedure is usually performed in an outpatient surgery center or hospital setting using general anesthesia. The patient is completely asleep and comfortable during the entire procedure. In some selected cases local anesthesia may be used instead in an office setting.
A variety of techniques have been described, but Dr. Granzow prefers to use techniques which reliably bend and shape the cartilage of the ears to create a more natural bend and appearance. Small amounts of tissue behind the ears may also be removed to allow the ears to set back in a more natural position closer to the head.
The procedure typically takes between two to three hours if both ears are corrected.
Incisions are made on the back sides of the ears, which tend to heal quite inconspicuously in a small crease behind the ear at the completion of the surgery. The skin is carefully marked in the operating room and the natural folds are meticulously outlined on the front of the ear. Skin is elevated on the back side of the ear only and fine permanent sutures are used to re-create the natural cartilage folds. Additional absorbable sutures may be required and small amounts of soft tissue may be removed to allow the ear to gently settle back into a more natural appearing position. The skin is then meticulously closed.
Absorbable sutures, which do not require removal, are used in nearly all cases.
Risks of the Procedure
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a safe procedure and the risks are low. However, some risks are common to all surgeons and centers performing the procedure. These include bleeding, infection, pain, and damage to nerves and vessels. Numbness and unsightly scarring may occur in the ears. Asymmetry or unevenness or irregularity or persistent swelling and blood clots may occur, although again these are rare.
Recovery from the Surgery
A large ear and head wrap will be placed at the conclusion of the surgery. A visit one or several days after the procedure is common to check the appearance of the ears. Swelling and bruising are common and expected after the surgery. These tend to settle quickly and most swelling and bruising is gone one to two weeks after surgery. However, several months may be required for the smallest amounts of swelling to disappear for an overall final result. Scars are behind the ear and typically are faint and become lost in the crease behind the ear. A headband, similar to a tennis headband, is required for the first several weeks at night to prevent inadvertent folding or trauma to the ears. For small children, a headband may be required for one to two weeks during the day as well.
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