Dr. Bared Of Miami Explains How Otoplasty Helps With Protruding Ears
Protruding ears may have a social stigma particularly for children. Otoplasty or ear-pinning is a procedure that is performed in an outpatient setting whereby the protruding ears are set back into a more natural position. Contrary to popular thought, the majority of the cause behind ear protrusion is not from excessive growth of cartilage but rather from the unfurling of the natural curvatures of the ear. Otoplasty can be performed through many different techniques. I believe in limiting cartilage excision when possible in order to best obtain natural appearing results. I attempt to create a more naturally-appearing ear by recreating the natural curvatures and folds of the ear with sutures. Nearly all non-protruding ears have the same curvatures and folds. When these natural-occurring folds are not present or deficient, what results is a protruding ear. The goal of ear-pinning surgery is to recreate these crevices so that the result is an ear that is set back and the results appear natural.
The Overall Otoplasty Procedure And Downtime
In order to recreate these curvatures to the ear a hidden incision is made behind the ear. The procedure can be performed under only local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s preference, age, and medical history. After surgery, a bandage dressing is kept in place for two to three days followed by the wearing of a sports-like headband at all times for one week. After this point, the headband can be worn at night only while sleeping for four weeks.