Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Otoplasty can improve the shape and positioning of your ears. If your ears protrude more than normal, surgery can reposition or create an absent curve to set them closer to your head.

Ear surgery is often recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. Correction of the ears prior to the child entering school helps eliminate potential psychological trauma from the teasing of classmates. Adults may also have their ears reshaped as there is no upper age limit for this surgery.

The supporting cartilage tissue of the ears is reshaped through incisions placed behind the ears and the resulting scars will be concealed in the natural skin crease.

Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and if your child is young, Dr. Bidros recommends general anesthesia, so the child will sleep through the operation. For adults, either local or general anesthesia is typically used. Ear surgery usually takes about two hours and the specific technique will depend on the problem.

After surgery, you or your child may be instructed to wear gauze dressing or bandage for a few days or up to several weeks to ensure that your ears heal in their new, corrected position. Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week.

EARLOBE SURGERY

The earlobe can also be corrected. Surgery may help the following conditions:

• Stretched earlobes from heavy jewelry
• Torn earlobe
• Mega, or large earlobes
• Distorted earlobe from prior surgery or facelift
• Aging Earlobe
• Earlobe Crease

These procedures are rather effective and gratifying.