Cosmetic Ear Surgery

Certain outer ear deformities like big ears, ears that stick out, and floppy ears can be the things that people notice about you. When you're talking to them, you'll see their eyes dart over to your ears, and back to your eyes. That's annoying and embarrassing. For children, it can be even more traumatizing. Classroom antics and teasing can emotionally scar a child. For these people, a cosmetic ear surgery can be a boon to their lives.

Cosmetic ear surgery focuses on outer ear defects related to the size and shape of the ear. Most of these defects are the result of the cartilage (or lack thereof) in the upper part of the ear where it connects to the scalp. A simple outpatient procedure can fix these flaws permanently.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, there were 26,612 cosmetic ear surgeries done in 2003. Most of these surgeries were done on an outpatient basis in a surgeon's office. These operations are done with local anesthetic only and take a mere 2 to 3 hours to complete. Patients can be up and walking immediately after the surgery.

The surgical procedure commonly involves an incision at the back of the ear. This incision allows the surgeon to part the skin and reveal the underlying cartilage. The surgeon can use sutures to fold the cartilage and reshape the ear. Permanent stitches can also hold back the ear to fix protruding ears. Some procedures don't require stitches and only need removal or modification of the existing cartilage.

Once the surgery is complete, a large head dressing is applied to hold the ears in place. This dressing can be removed a few days later and replaced with a lighter dressing similar to a headband. Most patients experience some mild discomfort that can be alleviated with prescription medication. After a few weeks, the headband can be removed and the patient can return to normal life. Any serious activity that could result in contact with the ear, like sports, should be avoided for a few months.

Some complications after the surgery include blood clots that can be removed with a needle or allowed to subside with time. In some cases, the ears begin to protrude again and this can be fixed with additional cosmetic surgery. Light scarring can occur at the incision, but should disappear in a matter of weeks.

Cosmetic ear surgery is a well-understood procedure done on thousands of people every year. They emerge from the surgery with a renewed confidence and a rejuvenated look. Talk to a surgeon today about your options or your child's options for cosmetic ear surgery. It could be a life changing change that gives you peace of mind for the rest of your life.