Chicago Ear Pinning - Otoplasty

Otoplasty is the medical term for surgery of the ears. It is a plastic surgery procedure able to pin back protruding ears, reshape the ears, reduce large ears, or make the ears more symmetrical. 

Candidates for otoplasty should be physically healthy and realistic in their expectations. While the surgery can be performed at any age, it’s often said that the earlier otoplasty is performed, the better. Improving the appearance of large or protruding ears can spare children years of teasing they might otherwise suffer. In addition, the cartilage of the ears is more pliable when younger and, thus, easier to sculpt to a desired shape. Otoplasty can be performed as early as age four, and most patients are between the ages of four and fourteen.

Otoplasty may be performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility, a hospital, or an outpatient surgery center. Anesthetic options include general anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation. Younger patients are often given general anesthesia, while adults and older children are often given local with sedation. The average surgery time is about two to three hours.

Surgery begins by making incisions which are commonly located in the back of the ears. Once the incision is made, the ear cartilage is exposed. There are several techniques which may be used to alter the ears. The surgeon may sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head, using non-removable stitches if necessary to secure the new shape. In some cases, a more natural-looking fold is achieved by removing a larger piece of cartilage. Other times, cartilage is not removed but rather the surgeon will remove skin, fold the cartilage back on itself, and use stitches to reshape the ear. Both ears are typically operated on. Once the surgery is complete, the head may be wrapped in a bulky bandage.

Swelling and redness are common after otoplasty. Patients may also experience some numbness, aching or throbbing, and pain medication can help to control discomfort. Bandages are usually removed within a few days after surgery and replaced with a lighter head dressing. Stitches may be removed in about a week.