A person’s ears can be a very sore subject. Ears that are out of proportion with the rest of the facial features are often mocked, and this can make a person feel extremely self-conscious. This can be especially damaging during childhood.

Otoplasty is a procedure that is used to correct the aesthetics and the appearance of the ears for children and adults. During the procedure, the shape, structure, and/or position of the ears are altered so that the overall look is in better proportion with the rest of the face.

When Is Otoplasty Recommended?

There are various types of ear deformities for which otoplasty may be recommended. Some birth defects that cause irregularities in the shape or position of the ears or even the proportion of the ears can be corrected with this surgery. This involves alteration of the natural structure. There are also some who suffer from malformations as a result of injury.

No matter what the cause of the problem is, a suitable treatment plan for otoplasty can result in perfectly shaped and reconstructed symmetrical ears.

Here are some of the many conditions that can be corrected with otoplasty:

  • Ears that are too large
  • Ears that protrude to an abnormal degree
  • Stretched or torn earlobes as a result of trauma
  • Pointy ears (sometimes the result of an additional fold in the cartilage)
  • Cauliflower ear

Several birth-related deformities can be corrected with the use of ear-molding techniques, while others need surgical correction. Pediatric otoplasty surgeries can be done quite precisely even in young babies so that the restructuring can happen in the early stages.

The Otoplasty Procedure – What to Expect

At the start of otoplasty, local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia is administered in order to make the procedure comfortable and pain-free. For most adults, local anesthesia with sedation is sufficient, but for children undergoing this procedure, general anesthesia is preferred.

The incisions are then made. They are created either at the back of the ear or in the folds on the front, depending on a variety of factors. Through these discreet incisions, the cartilage is altered in order to achieve the desired level of correction.

The shape, proportion, and other aspects of the ear are modified according to Dr. Compton’s surgical plan. In some cases, there might be the need to remove excess skin. The position of the ears with respect to the head might be changed; tiny cuts may be made on the cartilage to achieve this effect.

Once the alterations have been completed, the incisions are stitched closed using sutures. This is a relatively quick procedure, and hospitalization after the surgery will not be required. The patient will be sent home with bandages protecting the incisions.

Arrange Your Otoplasty Consultation

Make an appointment for an otoplasty consultation with Dr. Andrew Compton to find out more about the procedure. Dr. Compton is an experienced facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon with numerous satisfied patients. During your consultation, you will be able to look at before-and-after photos and discuss the entire process in greater detail.