A Result Of Development
Otoplasty, or ear pinning is the reshaping of the ear. It is a surgical procedure for any number of reasons. Ears that are disproportionately large or small, imbalanced, damaged by birth defect, overly protruding or have been injured in an accident are all treatable through otoplasty. Often this procedure is done on children to correct birth defects or abnormalities that have become more pronounced as a result of development.
A Natural Shape
Otoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure performed on the outer ear to reshape and correct protruding ears. Your surgeon may remove cartilage and skin behind your ears and use permanent sutures under the skin to pin back your ears. Most patients seek ear pinning surgery for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons. The goal of any otoplasty is to give the ears a natural shape that is balanced and proportional to the rest of the face.
The reshaping of the ear is a highly personal procedure and depends entirely on the situation of the patient and the patient’s wishes. Due to the highly visible nature of ears, the results of even slight correction can have a major effect on a patient’s feelings toward their appearance. Otoplasty rarely has any effect on hearing and is performed almost exclusively for cosmetic reasons.
The Right Fit For You
Otoplasty is an effective procedure for both children and adults. Children that make excellent otoplasty candidates have a healthy medical history free of serious illness or chronic ear infections. They can verbalize their feelings, willing to undergo the surgery, have stable ear cartilage, and at least five years old. Adult candidates should also be free of serious medical conditions, avoid smoking, and have a solid understanding of the procedure, its risks and all possible outcomes.
Otoplasty Procedure
Depending on the severity of the ear surgery, a local or general anesthetic will be administered to ensure the patient's comfort. To begin your otoplasty Washington DC plastic surgeon Dr. Feledy will make an incision on the rear of each ear to add or reshape a critical fold in the ear known as the antihelical fold. Cartilage is often removed from the largest sections of the ear. Any frontal incisions are made within the natural folds of the ear to hide the incision lines. Internal sutures are added to hold the reshaped cartilage in place and the incisions are closed with external sutures.
What happens after the procedure?
The ears will be bandaged following your ear pinning surgery and there may be some pain that can be treated with prescription medication. Itchiness is frequent but it is imperative that the bandages not be removed or the area scratched as this may damage the corrected area and require revisionary surgery. The results should be immediate with the bandages removed within a few weeks. Typically Washington DC otoplasty patients notice results improve over time as the new appearance becomes more natural looking.
Risks of the otoplasty procedure are infrequent but include skin irregularities, scarring, allergies to the surgical materials, pain, sensation changes, asymmetry, infection, blood clots, bleeding and poor wound healing. Any of these complications may lead to the need for revisionary surgery.
Schedule your consultation today
The surgeons at Belmont Plastic Surgery are here to help you take the next step on your aesthetic journey. Whether you want to restore what has been lost or improve upon what you already have, our surgeons will help you make the best possible choices for your care and deliver excellent results. Every day is an opportunity to live a more beautiful life. Seize your opportunity today with a consultation at Belmont Plastic Surgery.
5530 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 818, Chevy Chase MD 20815
