Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)

Otoplasty is corrective ear surgery. Protruding and drooping ears or turned earlobes can be surgically corrected. Exceptionally large ears or those that stick out can be a real challenge  to self esteem. These procedures do not alter the patients' hearing, but they improve their appearance and self-confidence.

Otoplasty can reshape deformed, prominent, or protruding ears.  For unknown reasons, one or both ears of some individuals protrude further than normal from the head. This is usually a result of the failure of one of the folds of the ear cartilage to fully develop. This surgery should be considered on ears that stick out more than 4/5ths of an inch (2 cm) from the back of the head. It can be performed at any age after the ears have reached full size, usually at five or six years of age. Having surgery at a young age has two benefits: the cartilage is more pliable, making it easier to reshape, and the child will experience the psychological benefits of the cosmetic improvement. However, a person may have the surgery at any age.

The surgery begins with an incision behind the ear, in the fold where the ear joins the head. Dr. Ford may remove skin and cartilage or trim and reshape the cartilage. In addition to correcting a protrusion, ears may also be reshaped, reduced in size or made more symmetrical. The cartilage is then secured in the new position with permanent stitches which will anchor the ear while healing occurs. Typically, otoplasty surgery takes about one to two hours. The soft dressing over the ears will be used for a few weeks as protection, and the patient usually experiences only mild discomfort. Headbands are recommended to hold the ear in place following surgery during the healing period.