Otoplasty
Ear Pinning (otoplasty) to reshape or remove small sections of cartilage from the back of the ears and allow them to lay closer to the head.
If you're considering ear surgery...
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears.
For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.
If you're considering ear surgery for yourself or your child, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect.
Planning For Surgery
Dr. Hayes recommends that parents stay alert to their child's feelings about protruding ears; don't insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.
In the initial meeting, Dr. Hayes will evaluate your child's condition, or yours if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. We will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.
Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed
Ear surgery is usually performed in the outpatient ambulatory surgery center, for adults we may perform your surgery in our state of the art on site surgical suite.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is used during this surgery for children, twilight sleep may be used for adult patients.
The Surgery
Ear surgery usually takes about two hours although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.
With one of the more common techniques, Dr. Hayes makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He then sculpts the cartilage and bends it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, a piece of cartilage may be removed to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.
Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.
Getting Back To Normal
Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery. The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication.
Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow your directions for wearing this dressing, especially at night.
Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they're careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child's teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.
Other Ear Problems
Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These include: "lop ear," when the tip seems to fold down and forward; "cupped ear," which is usually a very small ear; and "shell ear," when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles.
Otoplasty
Ear Pinning (otoplasty) to reshape or remove small sections of cartilage from the back of the ears and allow them to lay closer to the head.
If you're considering ear surgery...
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears.
For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.
If you're considering ear surgery for yourself or your child, this information will give you a basic understanding of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect.
Planning For Surgery
Dr. Hayes recommends that parents stay alert to their child's feelings about protruding ears; don't insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.
In the initial meeting, Dr. Hayes will evaluate your child's condition, or yours if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. We will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.
Where Your Surgery Will Be Performed
Ear surgery is usually performed in the outpatient ambulatory surgery center, for adults we may perform your surgery in our state of the art on site surgical suite.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is used during this surgery for children, twilight sleep may be used for adult patients.
The Surgery
Ear surgery usually takes about two hours although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.
With one of the more common techniques, Dr. Hayes makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He then sculpts the cartilage and bends it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, a piece of cartilage may be removed to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.
Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.
Getting Back To Normal
Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery. The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication.
Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow your directions for wearing this dressing, especially at night.
Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they're careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child's teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.
Other Ear Problems
Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These include: "lop ear," when the tip seems to fold down and forward; "cupped ear," which is usually a very small ear; and "shell ear," when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles.