Ear Surgery in Otoplasty in Duluth, GA

For individuals who have large or protruding ears, cosmetic ear surgery can help correct them and restore them to a natural appearance. For those who want to correct minor deformities of the ear, otoplasty may be the surgery to consider. The cosmetic surgeons of Prima Center for Plastic Surgery in Duluth use otoplasty to treat overly large ears, protruding ears, or dissatisfaction with a previous ear surgery. In addition, physical ailments, such as a torn earlobe, can also be corrected. During the initial consultation, patients will have the opportunity to discuss what they dislike about their ears and work with one of our plastic surgeons to create a treatment plan to overcome this sensitive subject. The cost of your surgery will be discussed during your consultation.

Ear surgery may also involve a torn earlobe. Sometimes the split is complete and other times the hole is just widened. Both can be repaired in a similar fashion. This can occur with heavy earrings or through other trauma. The surgical repair of a torn earlobe is generally straightforward. The skin cleft between the two sides of the tear is removed, and using either a straight line repair or a notch and groove repair a new lobe is reconstructed. Sutures are used that are placed in both the front and back of the ear and will remain intact for 7 days. Six weeks after the initial earlobe repair you will return to the office and we can re-pierce your ear. Patients who have split ear lobes are very excited to be able to wear earrings again.

In the cases of protruding ears, the cartilages are reformed and sometimes supported by splints. Soft tissues may also be trimmed away. The incisions are made behind the ear to reveal the ear’s confines. The ears will be repositioned by tightening the skin and then sutured. In cases of hidden ears, when cartilages are not fully developed, manipulations may include reshaping the cartilages by pulling or repositioning while splints are placed as supports. Sometimes, tissue grafting is also necessary to render volume.

Otoplasties are performed with general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. It takes 1 to 2 hours to complete, and the patient will be sent home for recovery. The ear will be bandaged to keep the new position and shape in place. This also helps so that children cannot touch or play with their ears, which may complicate healing. Activities must be limited, especially within the first week. Scars will remain hidden behind the ears or within the natural folds if the incisions are made in front of the ear.

The ears typically mature faster than any other part of the body, therefore, at an appropriate age and time when surgical adjustments are made, the results are generally long lasting. Even as the body changes due to age and gravity, the changes to the ear will be minimal and a secondary otoplasty is usually not needed.

On average, 5-6 year olds are ideal candidates for otoplasty as the ear will be already developed and the cartilage and tissues will still be soft, making it easy to reshape. This age is also recommended as it is a time before any schooling, which helps to avoid teasing.

Usually, the condition is symmetrical to both ears. The final shape that the surgery will aim for will depend on the initial structure of the ear and how cartilages are placed. If the procedure is only for one ear, the shape will be patterned after the normally formed ear.