Face and Head
OTOPLASTY
OTOPLASTY
Otoplasty improves the appearance of the ears. Otoplasty, also called ear surgery or Ear- pinning, sets prominent ears back closer to the head and/or reduces the size of large ears. This type of cosmetic ear surgery targets the part of the outer ear known as the auricle.
The different types of otoplasty surgery include:
- Pinning:
Ear pinning is a type of otoplasty that realigns the patient's ears closer to his or her head. - Reduction:
A patient who has abnormally large ears, also referred to as a condition known as “macrotia,” can undergo a type of otoplasty known as ear reduction surgery to reduce the size of his or her ears. - Microtia correction:
Microtia is a congenitally small or under-developed ear present from birth. Microtia correction corrects small or malformed ears. In some severe cases of microtia, the entire ear may need to be reconstructed.
Procedure
Otoplasty surgery to correct the appearance of the ears may alter the shape, size and alignment of the ears.
Otoplasty involves an incision at the back of the ear as well as the removal of some cartilage and reshaping of the ear cartilage to help ‘tuck’ back the ear and reduce its prominence. Cosmetic ear surgery is most often performed on children between the ages of four and fourteen and may be covered by insurance.
Otoplasty takes two hours.
Young children are usually given general anaesthesia. For older children or adults, general or local anaesthesia can be used along with sedation.
Usually, this is an outpatient procedure.
Temporary throbbing, aching, swelling, redness and/or numbness.
Infection of cartilage, excessive scarring, blood clots that may need to be drained, mismatched or artificial-looking ears, or the recurrence of the protrusion, which requires repeat surgery.
The patient may return to school or work within five to seven days and resume strenuous activity, such as contact sports in one to two months. A compression garment is required to use for four weeks.
The surgeon will advise you on postoperative care instructions that include:
- Surgical care after the otoplasty
- Avoid touching the ears
- Protect the ears with a light compression garment while sleeping
- Avoid contact sports until fully healed
The results from otoplasty are usually permanent.
WHEN YOU CHOOSE A DOCTOR WHO IS A MEMBER OF APRASSA, YOU CAN BE ASSURED THAT YOUR SURGEON IS QUALIFIED IN ALL ASPECTS OF COSMETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY.
Find a Surgeon
The Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa was formed in 1956. All our members are fully qualified Plastic surgeons that have been approved for APRASSA membership and will endeavour to provide you with excellent care throughout your plastic surgery journey.
