While there are many other plastic surgery procedures that are more popular, one of the most simple and dramatic procedures is that of otoplasty. Performed in around 20,000 Americans last year, it has one of the most dramatic effects on self-image of any operation in plastic surgery. Usually done in younger patients (most commonly under age 18), often those teased throughout school due to their ‘dumbo’ ears, the ears are reshaped so that they lay closer to the side of the head.
The operation is done by cutting on the back of the ears, exposing the back surface of ear cartilage. Special sutures are placed to bend the right area of the cartilage to create a helical rim (outer aspect of the ear) that sits back further. The tightening of the sutures determines how far back the ear is set. You don’t want to overtighten these sutures. If you do, you will create the classic ‘telephone-ear’ deformity. (the ear plastered against the side of the head) Overcorrection is impossible to fix later, undercorrections (while also not desireable) can at least be set back further later.
In children, the procedure is done under general anesthesia in the operating room. In select adults, it can be done under local anesthesia in the office. While in young children (under age 8), I put a head dressing on for a week, in adults I only use it for one day. While some ear swelling is seen for a few weeks, the surgical results are immediately apparent. One other benefit, there is some ear soreness but no real acute pain with the procedure.
I often joke that many otoplasties are done in children in the spring, when the winds pick up. But the reality is that children and teenagers are teased and bullied about their protruding ears all year long…and that makes otoplasty surgery good to do at any time.
Dr Barry Eppley
www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com
www.ologyspa.com
Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana
Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana
Indianapolis