What is Otoplasty?
By Dr. Weber
If you or your loved one has protruding ears, then you probably know what it feels like to receive unwanted stares and attention. You may be wondering if otoplasty, commonly referred to as “ear pinning,” is right for you. Here, we will discuss what causes ear prominence, how it is treated, and why many people choose otoplasty to find relief and regain their confidence.
What causes ears to be prominent?
Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery done for a person who has prominent ears. “Prominent” could mean that your ears stick out noticeably far from your head. Or that your ears are misshapen from a birth defect. These are valid reasons why otoplasties are performed— to create a more normal appearance of the ear and bring balance to the face.
What caused your or your loved one's ears to become prominent in the first place?
Your ears are extremely complex organs which started developing within the first few weeks of pregnancy. During this time, your inner ears, hearing organs, and outer ears began to form. Each of these processes needed to happen in a particular way for your ears to work correctly and appear normal upon birth.
At about 10 weeks, the cartilage of your outer ear started to grow and take shape. If your cartilage did not fold properly, then it caused your ears to protrude. This is usually an outer ear issue and does not affect your hearing.
Many times, prominent ears are noticeable right at birth. They can be corrected by a process called molding in which the ears are gently reshaped with a wearable mold in the first few weeks of life. With this method, surgery can be avoided altogether. However, molding will not work for older babies or adults.
When is Otoplasty Surgery Needed?
If your or your loved one’s protruding ears were not corrected at birth, then your cartilage hardened in an abnormal appearance. At this point, surgery is the only way to reconstruct the outer ear and give the cartilage a normal folded appearance.
As a teenager or adult with prominent ears, it is likely that your parents were unaware of otoplasty or opted not to have it done. This is very common, and many adults choose to have this procedure as soon as they’re able to.
If your child has prominent or protruding ears, otoplasty is a relatively safe and effective treatment option, before they have to deal with being teased. Many parents elect for their children to receive otoplasty surgery as early as 4 to 5 years old, once the outer ear is fully grown. At this age, the issue can be addressed before your child becomes socially conscious of their ears.
What Does a Successful Otoplasty Look Like?
Otoplasty is an outpatient surgery performed under general anesthesia and usually takes less than two hours to complete. The procedure is relatively simple, and recovery takes 1-2 weeks. There is no visible scarring as incisions are made behind the ear.
While the goal of otoplasty is to improve the appearance of protruding ears, success looks different for different people.
For some, it means wearing a hairstyle they’ve always wanted to try but have avoided.
For others, it means walking into a room confidently and feeling comfortable in their skin.
For you, it might mean peace of mind knowing that your child won’t be bullied for something they were born with. Regardless of your reason for wanting an otoplasty, nearly all patients experience noticeable benefits in appearance and self-esteem following the procedure.
Who Performs Otoplasty?
When searching for a plastic surgeon to perform an otoplasty on you or your loved one, you will want to work with a surgeon who is:
Board-certified- All board-certified plastic surgeons are equipped with broad training. This includes knowing the normal anatomy of the ear and how to correct the various deformities that can cause the ear to look abnormal.
Experienced in performing otoplasties– You will get the best results when working with a surgeon who has practiced otoplasties throughout their career. The board certified plastic surgeons at Northland Plastic Surgery are experienced in performing otoplasties and are available for consultation to see if you are a good candidate.
Otoplasties are going to be done through incisions behind the ear so there’s no visible scarring. As long as you have a board-certified plastic surgeon that’s gone through all the training and has continued to practice doing otoplasties throughout their career they’re going to tend to give you the best results.
What Else Should I Know?
You do not have to feel self-conscious about your prominent ears for the rest of your life. Otoplasties are a routine and relatively simple solution to improve your appearance and increase your confidence. The procedure is also safe and effective for children who may be starting to experience teasing because of their ears.
If you live in Northland and are considering otoplasty, contact us today. We are happy to answer your questions and schedule a consultation.