If you feel that your ears are too large, the wrong shape, or protrude too far from the side of your head, then otoplasty could provide the answer. Read on for more information on how surgery might be able to help, or you can book your free consultation to get your ear reshaping journey started.
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Otoplasty covers a number of surgical procedures – including ear correction, pinnaplasty and ear reduction surgery – which can correct the size, shape or position of the ears. This type of surgery is safe and effective, and can have a real impact on the overall balance of the head and face.
Ear reduction surgery reduces the size of the ears, while a pinnaplasty pins back ears which are protruding. Ear correction can help remedy deformities, both those present at birth and those caused by trauma later in life.
Examples of other kinds of abnormalities that this type of procedure can treat include reducing large or overstretched earlobes and smooth wrinkles or large creases in the ears.
All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk and potential side effects. Those associated with ear surgery can include:
Otoplasty can be carried out using local or general anaesthetic. You’ll be advised which will be appropriate in advance of your treatment day by your surgeon.
Pinnaplasty pins back protruding ears or addresses asymmetry. An incision is made at the back of the ear, then some skin is removed from the cartilage. The cartilage is reshaped so the ear sits closer to the head and the wound closed with stitches.
During ear reduction surgery, your surgeon will remove excess skin and cartilage to reshape and reduce the size of parts of, or the entire, ear. This procedure can be used to reduce the height and width of the ear and restoring balance to the face.
Ear correction is the overarching term used to describe surgery to correct a range of deformities of the ear, either those present from birth or those caused by trauma. As an example, ‘Cauliflower ear’ is an issue which can benefit from this procedure. It is treated by lifting the skin from the front of the ear and thinning out thickened tissue to recreate the original shape.
If you find that you are suffering from a lack of confidence because of how your ears look as you feel that they stick out too far from the side of your head, they’re too large, they’re misshapen or one is larger than the other, you may be able to benefit from ear reshaping surgery.
Your ears may feel tender, sore or numb for a few days following your surgery, but over-the-counter pain relief can be used to help. Depending on the type of otoplasty you’ve had, you may have a dressing or compression garment for the 1-3 days after treatment in order to help your recovery, but once removed you should be able to return to work and light exercise.
Full recovery can take up to 6 weeks, when you should be able to see the results of your otoplasty, although it can take up to 3 months for any swelling to completely subside.
While it’s quite common to hear of children having ear surgery, you may not be aware of any adults who have had otoplasty. However, there is no age limit to ear reshaping surgery, so you shouldn’t worry that you’ve left it too late. As long as you’re fit and healthy, you have a good chance of being suitable for surgery – get in touch with us and we’ll help you understand what treatment may be possible.
Ear reshaping surgery alters the shape or position of the ears. Because it involves incisions being made only in the external areas of the ear, this type of surgery has no impact on its internal structures and so cannot affect how well you hear.
While the scars from the incisions made during otoplasty will be permanent, as all scars are, they will most likely be hidden behind your ears or within the creases of your ears. They will be discreet and will fade as time goes on, making it very difficult to see them. Using vitamin E cream will help to reduce the appearance of the scars.
However, like all procedures, it does have the risk of creating keloid scars which occur because of an excess growth of collagen during healing. You should let us know of any concerns you have about how your scars are healing.
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