What Is An Otoplasty?
Otoplasty, the cosmetic surgery of the ear, is an aesthetic procedure that alters the size, position, or proportion of the ears. The outcome of ear reshaping surgery varies greatly depending on the changes that are desired, but these procedures generally improve self-confidence, especially in children and teenagers.
Otoplasty offers a permanent improvement in the appearance of your ears with discreetly placed incisions and hence no visible scarring. Otoplasty hence restores a balanced facial appearance and relieves social and emotional anxiety.
Achieved With Otoplasty
Otoplasty can correct…
Overly Large Ears (Macrotia)
Overly large ears are characterized by an ear length that is disproportionate to the rest of the facial features. The length of your ears is measured from the top of the helix down to the earlobe. To correct overly large ears, cartilage in the upper ear is removed or reshaped. Shortening the length of the ears helps restore your overall facial balance and can relieve anxiety in both children and adults.
Protruding Ears
Protruding ears are caused by an excess of cartilage behind the ear that causes the ears to distinctly stick out from the sides of your head. To make the ears lay flatter, a wedge of cartilage is removed from the back of the ear. The process of closing the incision pulls the whole ear structure closer to the head. Improving the appearance of protruding ears can help prevent or alleviate social ridicule that children and adults may face.
A Previous Ear Surgery
If you have undergone a previous otoplasty procedure and didn’t achieve the result you desired, a correction surgery may be necessary. Revision surgeries are more difficult and require a higher skill level because cartilage from the ear has already been removed. Dr. Aboumoussa may remove more cartilage or replace some of the lost cartilage to reshape the ear for an improved appearance.
FAQs
Yes, results of an otoplasty generally last a lifetime with minimal fluctuations.
Otoplasty is performed under either local or general anesthesia. The type of anesthesia used during your surgery will depend on age, extent of correction, and personal preference.
Ear surgery can provide a boost to your child’s self-confidence and is a low-risk procedure that can be performed on children over the age of eight.
Depending on your anatomy and desired changes, Dr. Aboumoussa may make an incision hidden inside or behind the ear. Excess cartilage or soft tissue that makes the ear protrude too much can be removed. If normal folds are missing from the ear, they can be re-created by shaping the cartilage with permanent sutures or scraping the cartilage to contour it. Sometimes a combination of techniques is needed to get the desired result.
The location of your incisions will depend largely on what changes you wish to make. However, you can expect the incisions to be made in inconspicuous locations, either in the back of your ear where it connects to the head, or within the inner folds of your ear. Otoplasty results in no visible scarring.
It will take you approximately five to seven days before you can return to your normal level of activity and work. After the surgery, you will receive detailed instructions about your post-surgical care, including information about normal symptoms you will experience and your recovery process.
We Can Help You
Dr. Joseph Aboumoussa is an experienced, highly trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon whose techniques have gained acclaim from his patients all around France, Lebanon and the Middle East.