Otoplasty, or ear pinning surgery, is a procedure that helps reduce the prominence of overly large ears or ears that protrude from the head. Ear surgery is most often performed on children between the ages of four to fourteen, but dissatisfaction with the ear is not limited to younger patients. Adults seek otoplasty to correct large ears, congenital irregularities, or abnormal traits due to injury.
Otoplasty improves the appearance of the ears and has high satisfaction rates for patients of all ages.
One of the most common objectives of ear surgery is to correct protruding or large ears. Disproportionate ears can be a great source of embarrassment and ridicule for young children. Otoplasty can reduce the size or protrusion of ears for better symmetry and balance.
Otoplasty can correct congenital irregularities or inconsistencies between one or both ears, including folded ear tips, long or offset earlobes, or very small ears. Ear improvement can increase a person’s satisfaction with their appearance.
If an unfortunate accident damages the outer ear or earlobe, otoplasty can help. Using autologous reconstruction, your surgeon can rebuild part or all of the ear, restoring balance to the face.
Since otoplasty addresses a wide range of ear concerns, a consultation with your experienced plastic surgeon is crucial. During your consultation, Dr. Bridges will address your concerns and goals. He will also perform an exam to determine the ideal surgical plan for your ear(s).
After your assessment, Dr. Bridges will create a personalized surgical plan for you. Our patient coordinator will then review the price of the otoplasty procedure based on the techniques used.
Otoplasty is commonly performed under general anesthesia for children and local anesthesia for adults. The standard ear surgery involves bringing the ears closer to the head (pinning). Dr. Bridges will make small incisions hidden in the crease behind the ear. This allows the cartilage behind the ears to be reshaped to position them closer to the head. This procedure takes approximately one to two hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.
Dr. Bridges will employ different techniques for otoplasty procedures to correct irregularities other than protruding ears. The nature of your procedure will be discussed with you during your consultation.
Large bandages are typically wrapped around the head that secures the ear(s) in place and assists with the healing process. The bandages are removed after one week and replaced with smaller dressings. Post-operative instructions generally require plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and protect the ears. Dr. Bridges will supply you with specific post-operative instructions for your recovery.
Incisions are placed in an inconspicuous area, so any scarring is hidden behind the ear and is barely visible.
Patients sometimes report minor pain, which can be treated with oral medication.
Your results of the otoplasty procedure will improve as swelling decreases with visible improvement around two weeks post-op. Post-operative swelling should be significantly reduced after six weeks, with your results continuing to improve for up to six month
Otoplasty treats the outer portion of the ear, so it does not affect hearing.
Every surgical procedure carries some risk, such as bleeding, infection, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. Otoplasty is considered a low-risk procedure, and you can further minimize complications by closely following Dr. Bridges’s post-operative instructions.
Otoplasty is considered a permanent solution to ear abnormalities. Barring future injury or damage, you can expect the results of your ear surgery to last indefinitely.
Otoplasty can be performed on children as young as four years old. If you are concerned that your child will be teased or the subject of bullying for the look of their ears, otoplasty can eliminate that worry and help them feel confident. Many parents decide to have their child undergo ear surgery as early as possible, so the child can better enjoy school and social situations without feeling insecure.
Additionally, otoplasty is great for adults as well. If you have wanted to improve the size, symmetry, and shape of your ears, there’s no reason to wait any longer. Otoplasty is a great option for patients of all ages.
The price of otoplasty will vary from patient to patient, depending on the technique used, the extent of the correction, and other factors such as anesthesia and surgical fees.
Since no two otoplasty patients are the same, Dr. Bridges creates custom surgical plans for each procedure. At the time of your consultation, you will be provided with your personalized surgical plan and cost estimate.
Additionally, since ear surgery is considered an elective cosmetic procedure, it is not generally covered by insurance. However, Dr. Bridges understands the value of feeling confident in the look of your ears. The cost of otoplasty should not stop you or your child from experiencing the benefits of ear surgery; therefore, we proudly offer CareCredit® financing at Bridges to Beauty.