Ear surgery, or otoplasty, can be invaluable in relieving the mental stress and embarrassment associated with large or protruding ears, especially for children and adolescents. The shape and contour of the ear can be altered to complement a person’s facial structure and head size. Performed with either local or general anesthesia, our Dallas ear surgery patients undergo the otoplasty procedure at our office, in an outpatient surgical facility, or in a hospital.
Candidates for Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Most ears appear prominent for one of two reasons. Most commonly, there is inadequate folding of the ear cartilage so that the ear appears to stick straight out from the head. This is known as absence of the antihelical fold. Alternatively, there may be too much cartilage in the “bowl” where the ear canal starts, and this also causes the ear to protrude too far from the head. These deformities can occur separately or together.
Ear Surgery Costs
At Dr. Paul Pin‘s practice, ear surgery costs anywhere between $4,500 and $5,500. These fees are all-inclusive, so there won’t be any extra surgical costs to the patient on the day of surgery or at follow-up appointments. Patients may choose to pay for the cost of surgery using a low-interest credit card or health care financing plan.
The Ear Surgery Procedure and Recovery
To correct prominent ears, an incision is made on the back of the ear. The ear cartilage can be folded or removed as needed to reshape the ear and bring it closer to the head, improving the appearance of the patient. Skin almost never needs to be removed. The procedure takes one to two hours and is associated with pain and soreness that is readily relieved by pain medications. Bandages are removed the first post-operative day and regular bathing is permitted. Sutures are dissolvable and most patients can return to normal daily activities within a week.
Ear Surgery Side Effects
Otoplasty patients may experience some degree of pain and swelling after surgery. It is also common to experience some itching at the site of the incision. It is important to not touch the ears during the recovery period to avoid increasing the risk of infection or tearing the incision or stitches.
Otoplasty Risks
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with this type of surgery. Bleeding, which usually occurs within the first 24 hours, can lead to prolonged swelling and occasionally a need for revisional surgery. More commonly, our Dallas ear surgery patients experience minor asymmetries in their ears. Rarely, some degree of recurrence of an ear’s prominence can happen.
Otoplasty Results
Every year, thousands of people undergo this remarkable plastic surgery procedure and are satisfied with the outcome. Resulting in increased self-confidence and an improved appearance, cosmetic ear surgery is an excellent solution for men, women, and children who feel embarrassed by the size or shape of their ears. It is wonderful to see a young otoplasty patient who is no longer concerned about using their hairstyle to conceal their prominent ears!
Dallas Ear Surgery Consultations
Contact our Dallas office for information on the ear surgery procedure, or to schedule your personal otoplasty consultation.