Otoplasty (ear pinning, microtia) Surgery

What is Otoplasty?
Are You a Candidate for Otoplasty?
What to Expect At Your Consultation
Preparing For Your Surgery
How Otoplasty is Performed
The Road To Recovery
The First Month After Surgery
Risks & Complications Associated with Otoplasty
The Least You Need To Know
Related Links
Frequently Asked Questions About Otoplasty
Visit Our Facial Plastic Surgery Message Board RECOMMENDED!

What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is surgery designed to pin the ears closer to the head or lessen the appearance of larger than average ears. It is most commonly performed on children and teens. However, many young adults seek Otoplasty in their life after earning enough to pay for the surgery themselves.

Some Otoplasties involve removing a sliver of cartilage from the ear and suturing the cartilage back together allowing it to fuse together either closer to the head or of a smaller size.

Ear pinning is not the only complaint that can be resolved by Otoplasty. This procedure can correct ears that have congenital deformities as well as those caused by trauma or bad habits of ear pulling. Many toddlers tend to pull on their ears during the teething stage and this habit may remain throughout their younger years well after their teeth have emerged. Ear pulling or congenital deformities can leave children with stretched earlobes (which can be corrected with a slight snip of the excess skin). As well as the uncurling of the natural folds and the folding over of the top of the ear.

EXTRA! Did you know that ears can now be grown in a petri dish? That's right! A base is made in the shape of an ear out of dissolvable proteins or synthetic dissolvable agents and cartilage and skin cells are then implanted. The petri dish is flushed with nutrients and oxygenated serums, giving the ear life. The cells grow and the underlying structure dissolves leaving only the newly formed ear.

Are You a Candidate for Otoplasty?
If you are a physically healthy and emotionally stable individual you are more than likely a candidate for Otoplasty. There really is no restriction on having an Otoplasty. As long as you are healthy and are not prone to Keloids, hypertrophic scarring, no wound healing problems, or autoimmune problems, you should be fine. Just make sure you discuss any health concerns with your surgeon beforehand.

What To Expect At Your Consultation
Your surgeon will discuss your general complaints, concerns and expectations. You will disclose your full medical history including scarring habits. If you are prone to Keloid or hypertrophic scarring you may not be a good candidate. He will go over the risks of Otoplasty as well as what can be realistically achieved. He should discuss with you the medications that will be prescribed as well as after care of your treatment site.

You will also discuss the available anesthesia that will be used for your procedure. Most Otoplasty procedures are performed under Light Sleep Sedation although some docs may use General Anesthesia, especially for small children. Either way, discuss this beforehand as most people are hesitant to go under General Anesthesia. If you do go under General, you make sure that the anesthesiologist is certified! Please read the All About Anesthesia Page, the risks regarding going under are a whole different ball game entirely. I personally prefer Light Sleep as the risks are lowered when General is excluded. Do realize though that thousands of patients safely go under General every day.

You will more than likely look at patient before and after photos and discuss what you desire and what the surgeon believes could be accomplished. It is possible for your insurance to cover this particular procedure.

Preparing For Your Surgery
You will be given a pre-operative information packet that explains everything you should do and know before your surgery date. The packet should include all the medications you should not take for up to 2 weeks before your surgery. These medications will include, but are not limited to, aspirin containing products. Would you like to view a typical Medication & Supplements List? Also, your surgeon may or may not advise you of the benefits of Arnica montana for swelling and bruising. Would you like to learn of the benefits of Arnica montana?

It is quite possible that you will have preliminary blood work performed. This is normally an extra out-of-pocket expense that the patient must participate in to check your white and red blood cell count (complete blood count, CBC) which ultimately alerts your surgeon to disease or disorders beforehand.

So many things to do... so little time. Surgery will be here before you know it so visit the Preparing For Surgery page and relax. This section contains, printer-friendly pre-op lists, tips and advice as well as things you must do to prepare for your big day.

How Otoplasty Is Performed
Otoplasty may not be a relatively simple operation but it is not as complex as nose surgery or breast augmentation. It is normally performed on children of a very young age (after the age of four to six) normally under General anesthesia. The reason that children are often out under General for surgery is the possibility of a child waking up and the trauma caused at this young age. Children tend to fidget and are put under totally for complete control over actions in this state, by the surgery staff.

For adults, the surgery is normally performed under Light Sleep Anesthesia or local with IV sedation. Although some doctors may prefer General still. General is more expensive, more risky and you may get sick because of it regardless if you are given medications to counteract its side effects.

The surgery generally takes about 2 to three hours to perform. Marks will have been made prior to any cutting as to where the incisions will be made to create a base to suture the folds closer to the head. The incisions are made on these markings, the skin and cartilage removed or molded, the ear folds resituated, fastened within with non-dissolving sutures, the outside incisions may be sutured with dissolving or non-dissolving stitches to be removed by the surgeon at a later date. and bandaged. You will be instructed to not touch! these bandages until the doctor unveils your new ears.

The Road to Recovery
The recovery for Otoplasty is pretty minimal. Although one must be very careful not to disturb the ear and head bandages. This may be especially difficult in children as they tend to fidget, as said before. The ears may sting, throb and ache for a week and may may latent stinging or itching during the healing process. You should be able to alleviate this discomfort with your prescribed pain medications.

The surgeon will have wrapped your head in bandages to mold and apply pressure to your ears to protect them and aid in healing. These bandages will be removed in about 3 to 5 days. Do not get them wet, with your head elevated and tale care not to touch the ears whatsoever. Your surgeon will then cleanse your incisions and apply a light gauze dressing to further aid in its healing and end result as well as to protect the wound. These dressings will be removed in a few more days and your surgeon will instruct you in the care of your newly formed ears.

Risks and Complications Associated With Otoplasty
As with any surgery, there may be allergic reactions to the anesthesia or medications. There may be hematoma (blood clots) or excessive scar tissue formation. There may be infection which would require possible additional surgery, but more than likely additional antibiotics. There may be the simple dissatisfaction of the results as well.

The First Month After Surgery
The pressure dressing is removed after five to seven days. Children should be kept relatively quiet during that time. The dressing should not get wet. After removal of the dressing, a sweat band should be worn, at night only, to protect the ears until the end of the sixth post-operative week. Normal non-strenuous activity may be resumed two days after surgery. The patient should refrain from bending over for 3 weeks, keeping the head higher than the heart during that time. Nor should the patient sleep on his side for 3 weeks. Routine exercise may begin at the end of the fourth post-operative week. Contact sports may be restarted at the end of the sixth post-operative week.

It is also the norm for the ears to feel numb for 2 to 3 months after the operation. The sensation returns slowly over that time. This is the reason that there is generally no pain in the post-operative period, just minor discomfort. This fact makes the operation exceptionally well tolerated in children.

The Least You Need To Know

Have realistic expectations and be prepared to be down for at least a week for proper healing.
Otoplasty can be performed under General, Light Sleep Sedation or Local with IV sedation.
Know the risks of Otoplasty -- no matter how minor you think a surgery may be -- there are risks!
Please read the All About Anesthesia Page -- the risks regarding going under are a whole different ball game entirely.
Do not touch your ears or sleep on your side for at least 3 weeks. This is important for proper healing for the desired position closest to the head (without being too close).
Research your doctor as much as you can, if you need help with what to ask your surgeon at your consultation -- visit the Consultation Help Page.
Research the web! You can never be too informed.

Related Links (all links leading outside the site will launch a new window)
Microtia - Congenital Ear Deformity (beyond ear pinning)
Yes They're Fake! Facial Plastic Surgery Message Board

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