Ear Surgery in Queensland – Otoplasty
Ears that significantly protrude from the head can be a source of embarrassment and self-consciousness. Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a procedure that will pin the ears closer to the head. Dr. James Gaffield can perform otoplasty on patients ranging in ages from early childhood to those who are in their later years.
Ear Surgery
Otoplasty, commonly known as ear surgery or ear pinning, is one of the safest, most flexible, and most effective cosmetic surgery procedures available. The ears contribute strongly to the overall balance and symmetry of the face, and they can easily throw the face out of proportion. Otoplasty is a popular treatment for ears that:
- Are oversized
- Are asymmetrical
- Protrude too much from the head
- Are misshapen or deformed
With ear surgery, Dr. Gaffield can correct these conditions in patients as young as four years of age. Many parents choose otoplasty for their children in order to avoid teasing in school.
Otoplasty Procedure
A number of ear surgery techniques are available to an experienced surgeon like Dr. Gaffield performing otoplasty. With cartilage-scoring techniques, Dr. Gaffield can make incisions into the ear’s cartilage to add, remove, or reshape the tissue. Cartilage-sparing ear surgery techniques rely instead on stitches and sutures to change the shape and position of the ears.
Whichever techniques are appropriate, ear surgery is generally performed under general anesthesia. Incisions are concealed behind the ears or in natural folds to minimize the appearance of scarring. The full otoplasty procedure typically takes between one and two hours to complete.
Otoplasty Recovery
Immediately after ear surgery is complete, the patient’s head is wrapped in protective bandages (leaving the face bare). These bandages protect the ears during healing and maintain compression to help the ears heal in the proper position. The next day, the original bandages will be replaced with a headband (lighter ones, and within a week all bandages will be removed.)
Most otoplasty patients experience some bruising, swelling, and throbbing in the days after surgery. Any pain or discomfort can be controlled with medication, and most patients are ready to return to normal activities after about a week. Complete healing can take up to six weeks, and it is important to take appropriate precautions to avoid injury during this time, as such an injury could require additional ear surgery.
Contact Our Otoplasty Surgeon
Contact our plastic surgery practice today to schedule a consultation.
