The Best Candidates for Ear Surgery

You may be a candidate for ear pinning (otoplasty) if you have ears that stick out too far from the side of the head. You may also want to have an otoplasty procedure if your ears have an unusual or undesirable shape.

The goal is to create ears that have normal folds and shape with a normal level protrusion from the side of the head.

Otoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis under sedation and local or general anesthesia. The ears are usually bandaged with a head band type dressing for several days. Initial mild postoperative discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication.

The procedure is appropriate beginning at age 5 or 6 or at any time thereafter. The ears usually look "normal" within 10-20 days. Usually, a head band is worn 2-3 weeks to protect the ears. Contact sports should be avoided for about a month.

Any facial procedure that is desired or appropriate would enhance the result.

This procedure is considered to be cosmetic and so is usually not covered by insurance. The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation.

All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.

The surgery usually takes two or three hours, the technique depends on the problem. In one of the more common techniques, the surgeon makes a small incision in the back of the car to expose the car cartilage. Then the surgeon will sculpt the cartilage and bend it back towards the head.

The stitches which are non removable may be used to help maintain the new shape. Some times as large piece of the cartilage is removed to give a more natural looking fold, when the surgery is complete. In another technique, a similar incision is made in the back of the ear.

Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage. The surgery will leave a faint sear in the back of the ear, which will fade with time.

The patients is usually up and around within a few hours of surgery. If you prefer you may stay overnight in the hospital until all the effects of general anesthesia wear off. To promote best molding and healing, the patients head is wrapped in a bulky bondage.

The pain in the ear can be relived by medication. Within a few days the bulky bandage will be replaced by a lighter dressing similar to a headband. The dressing should be worn day and night stitches will be removed or will dissolve in about a week. For about a month, avoid any activity which will make your ear bend.

Adults can go back o work five days. Children can go back to school after a week. Most patients are satisfied with the results of ear surgery. Be realistic in your goals and don't expect a perfect symmetric in both ears. The goal of the surgery is improvement not perfection.

About The Author-- Dave Stringham is the President of LookingYourBest.com an online resource for plastic surgery in Los Angeles. Learn more about breast augmentation and cosmetic surgery procedures.

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