Kids born with prominent or misshapen ears are often self-conscious, and some report being bullied by peers due to the size or shape of their ears, but otoplasty, a safe and effective surgical procedure, can dramatically improve the quality of life of these kids.
Summer is ideal for undergoing otoplasty as it provides ample time to recover without the social and academic pressures of the school year, says American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(AAFPRS) President Sherard A. Tatum, MD, a Syracuse, NY-based facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. However, some vigorous summertime activities might have to be curtailed for a while after surgery.
What is Otoplasty Surgery?
Otoplasty surgery, also called “ear pinning” comes from the idea of “pinning” or suturing the ears back so they are flatter to the head. Thesurgery is a procedure that can change the shape, position, and/or size of the ears. To perform the surgery, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon crafts an incision on the back side of the ear or in the folds of the ear. Next, the surgeon will separate the skin from the cartilage. “The cartilage is then bent into a more favorable shape, weakened, and/or trimmed,” he explains. “Permanent sutures are typically placed to hold the ear in its new more desirable shape/position. The incision is usually closed with dissolvable sutures.”
The ideal age for otoplasty surgery is 4 or 5, which is when the ears have become firmer and mostly stopped growing. “The longer the surgery is delayed, the more chance there is for psychological trauma and self-esteem issues, but it’s never too late to have the procedure done.”
In fact, the ‘Zoom Boom’, or spike in plastic surgery procedures due to time spent looking at self-images while on video calls, has led to an increase in requests for ear alteration among adults. And unlike other surgical procedures which are more common in females, otoplasty is equally popular among men and women, according to recent statistics from the AAFPRS. Otoplasty has the most gender equality of all surgeries, with 59% of facial plastic surgeons saying the procedure is gender balanced.
Otoplasty takes about two hours to perform, and patients usually go home the same day. In kids, otoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Adults may not need general anesthesia for the surgery as local anesthesia may be adequate. A stabilizing dressing is placed over the ears after otoplasty.
Once the dressing is removed, patients wear a terry-cloth-like band for a few weeks to protect the ears and stabilize their new position/shape. Most patients don’t need more than acetaminophen to treat any pain or discomfort associated with the surgery. It’s prudent to limit activities in the days after the procedure and avoid contact sports for a few weeks.
“It takes several months for the final result of the surgery to become apparent, so summer vacation is a good chance to undergo the surgery, with most of the swelling and bruising subsiding within a week or two,” Dr. Tatum says.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
There are potential complications with otoplasty including problems with anesthesia, bleeding, or infection, and not having the ears end up with the desired shape, but choosing a qualified facial plastic surgeon and following their instructions carefully is the best way to minimize these risks and maximize the results.
All AAFPRS members are board-certified by a specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. A majority are certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, which includes facial plastic surgery. Others may be certified in plastic surgery, ophthalmology, or dermatology. In particular, an most AAFPRS members have achieved board certification by theAmerican Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(ABFPRS), which requires prior certification by either the American Board of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery or the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Learn more about otoplasty please visit: https://www.aafprs.org/AAFPRS/Procedures/Facial-Rejuvenation/Cosmetic_Ear_Surgery.aspx