Ear Set Back Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ear Set Back Surgery

Prominent ears can be bothersome and difficult to cover up. Hats, make-up or loose clothes offer little help masking prominent ears but fortunately there is a surgical solution. This solution is called otoplasty. Children and adults who are self conscious about the projection of their ears are candidates for this procedure.

How is the procedure performed?

An incision is made in the natural crease behind the ear. The cartilage of the ear is then rasped, followed by placement of sutures that bend the ear back towards the scalp. Finally, skin is resected behind the ear to help maintain the new position. Dissolvable sutures are used on the skin.

What is the recovery period?

For the first few days after the surgery, the ears feel bruised or numb. There is some swelling that gradually resolves over the first week. The stitches on the skin dissolve. The patient has to wear a headband around their ears as much as possible for a week, and then at night for a month. Patients may shower the following day. Most patients return to work or school around one week. Exercise is not permitted for 4 weeks after surgery.

ear set back surgery

If you’re looking to improve the look of your ears, otoplasty is a common cosmetic procedure that may work for you. This procedure can improve the symmetry, proportions, and overall shape of the ears. Plus, results from otoplasty are permanent and apparent right after treatment.

Why Is Otoplasty Performed?

Patients may seek out an otoplasty to change the size, shape, or position of their ears. Common aesthetic concerns of the ears are:

Too large
Extend too far out from the head
Unevenly shaped
Deformed after an injury
Deformed due to a birth defect

An otoplasty may also be performed if a patient previously had ear surgery and is unhappy with the results.

Recovering from Otoplasty

Immediately after otoplasty, your doctor will bandage your ears for protection. You may feel tenderness, itchiness, and general discomfort in the treatment area. Your doctor may prescribe pain medications to help you manage discomfort in the days following the procedure.

It’s important to be conscientious of the treatment area as your ears recover. Avoid putting pressure on your ears, such as sleeping on your side or pulling a tight-collared shirt over your head. After your doctors removes the bandages, it’s recommended to wear a protective headband to bed for at least a few weeks. This will help to keep pressure off of your ears as you move in your sleep.

Results from otoplasty are permanent, which makes it an attractive treatment option for people with cosmetic ear concerns. Contact us today to learn more about how otoplasty could work for you.