Otoplasty

Ear Reshaping or “Ear Pinning”

Surgically correcting ears that stick out of the head is a simple and relatively inexpensive process.

A minor surgical procedure known as otoplasty, or ear pinning, can correct the size or placement of a patient’s ears. Ear pinning is most common in children between the ages of 4 and 14. The ear is fully developed at age 4, and having the procedure performed sooner rather than later can help to avoid adolescent ridicule. It is, however, becoming more common for adults to request surgical ear pinning and we would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.

Specific methods used for ear pinning vary slightly based upon needs and desired outcomes. Generally, an ear pinning involves making an incision in the fold behind the ear, removing some skin and/or cartilage and pinning the ear with permanent sutures. In some cases, a sliver of cartilage will be removed from the ear the gap will be sutured shut allowing the ear to fuse together closer to the head. This technique can also be combined to reduced ear size while repositioning them.

The scars resulting from ear pinning are quite small and easily hidden. Most ear pinning procedures are performed under light sedation, although very small children may be given general anesthesia to prevent fidgeting. Usually, an ear pinning takes around two hours to complete and the patient can return home. Recovery is usually very simple and relatively painless requiring a dressing to mold and apply pressure to the ears.

Ear pinning is an especially effective form of cosmetic surgery, and its low risk of side effects combined it being among the more inexpensive cosmetic surgery procedures make it a popular choice for patients of all ages and sexes.

Ear reconstruction surgery is a more complex procedure usually performed in a pediatric hospital setting under general anesthesia. Ear reconstruction surgery is usually performed on children born without all or part of an external ear (known as microtia) or who are missing all or part of their external ears resulting from an injury. The term microtia indicates a small, abnormally shaped or absent external ear. It can occur on one side only (called "unilateral") or on both sides (called "bilateral"). The unilateral form is much more common, occurring in approximately 90% of people who seek out this kind of plastic surgery.

When it comes to reconstructive outer ear surgery, each case is unique because there is no one type of ear deformity. People who suffer from microtia may be born with no outer ear, part of an ear or an ear that is disfigured. Luckily, this cosmetic ear surgery can restore confidence and normalcy for these youngsters who were born with this type of congenital ear defect.

Ear reconstruction surgery is not to be confused with the ear pin back. True ear reconstruction surgery is much more elaborate and involves quite a bit of sculpting and grafting on the part of the plastic surgeon to create a new ear. The intention of almost all re-constructive ear surgery is to recreate the cartilage of the upper ear.

Plastic surgeons have been trying to find a way to completely duplicate the human ear for years. Because microtia usually only affects one ear, a common tact is for the plastic surgeon to make a mold of the existing perfect ear and try to duplicate it.

The ultimate challenge for the plastic surgeon is to create a natural looking ear. Replacements for the ear's special cartilage and skin must be located on other parts of the patient's body before surgery can begin. Preferably the cartilage and skin that they find from other places on the body is soft, flexible and without hair. Often, the cartilage is removed from the patient's lower floating ribs beneath the rib cage and the skin is often removed from the inner thigh or groin area. Outer ear reconstruction is a delicate procedure.

It is also important to note that the more of the existing ear that the plastic surgeon has to work with, the more likely there are to be good results. It is important for parents or patients to be realistic in their expectations of what the final result may look like. If there is not much existing tissue to work with the plastic surgeon may only be able to approximate the appearance of an outer ear and not truly duplicate it. There are some key challenges to overcome when approaching any ear reconstruction. It can involve many detailed consultations, planning and deft surgical work.

The surgery itself generally only takes a few hours, with more complicated reconstructions taking more time. Depending on how much of the ear needs reconstruction, the patient may require a series of operations spaced out over a one or two year period. The healing process can quite long

Dr. Christian Drehsen, M.D., the Clinique of Plastic Surgery’s medical director, is highly trained and experienced in both minor and major ear surgeries.

We are looking forward to serving you, and would love to talk to you about your interests to help you achieve your ultimate dreams of beauty! Call us at 1-800-942-1606, email a question, reserve a consultation or register for an event.

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As with any medical procedure, there are certain inherent risks that should be discussed. Costs vary depending upon the extent of the surgery and areas treated.