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October 4, 2011 Surgical ear repair is the answer for anyone who has had to "strategically" place their hair, or wear hats in order to hide large or protruding ears. An otoplasty is basically ear reshaping or ear pinning, where excess protrusion of the ear is reduced making them appear less conspicuous. Often people complaining about large ears actually have normal sized ears that simply project away from the head. Protruding ears may be the result of a large concha bowl which is the shell shaped, top portion of the ear. In this case, a small incision is made in the back of the ear and a small segment of cartilage cut or removed to reduce its size. This allows the concha bowl to be reset closer to the scalp, enabling a normal configuration. The second most common reason for large ears is a flat or non-existent antihelix fold, which is the crease located in the concha bowl. A crease can easily be made by pinching the cartilage, with permanent sutures in place to pin back the ears. Maintaining complete symmetry in the size and shape of each ear can be difficult as very few people have the same sized ears to begin with, however Otoplasty can help minimize the differences between the ears. Otoplasty is a very rewarding surgery for both the client, as well as the surgeon, because it is not a complex procedure but produces immediate and dramatic results. It can be accomplished under local anesthesia, on an outpatient basis and takes approximately one to two hours to perform. I place a compressed bandage around my clients for the first 24 hours after which I recommend them wearing a ski band or head band for approximately one week. Any sutures that are not permanent are completely resorbable and don’t require removal. Any scars are concealed from view in the fold between the scalp and the ear. I have had clients worry that their hearing might be affected if they undergo an otoplasty and I assure everyone that this procedure strictly deals with the outer ear, not the inner ear. Each individual has varying needs, but usually the cost of an otoplasty is between $3,000 to $5,000. If you would like to learn more about this procedure, please consider booking a complimentary consultation at our Yorkville clinic. I would be pleased to answer your questions and walk with you through the process. |
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