Otoplasty
Be Perfect
What is Otoplasty ?
Otoplasty surgery is the art of correcting irregularities and deformities of the ear, with the most common being ear pinning surgery. Some patients often complain of ears that protrude and stick out much further than they would like. For this, we simply pin back the ears in just an hour, resulting in ears that are tucked away.
Large or protruding ears can affect confidence and self-esteem, while ears that sit far away from the head can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, there is a solution. Ear correction surgery is also known as Otoplasty or Pinnaplasty, which is a surgical procedure to reshape and reconstruct the ear. If you are unhappy with the shape, size, or position of your ears, you may benefit from an Otoplasty procedure.
In most cases, ear surgery is performed to pin back prominent ears, decrease or increase the size of the ears, reshape the ear cartilage, or correct ear deformities. Otoplasty surgery is a very safe surgical procedure that can help improve the appearance of the ears, as well as provide other benefits such as an increase in self-esteem and confidence.
If you are a parent who is experiencing your child’s struggles with malformed ears, then it may delight you to learn that it is safe to perform otoplasty as early as 5 or 6 years old.
Stay in hospital
1 day
Surgery duration
1 to 2 hours
Anesthesia
Local
Price list
We accept payments in Armenian Dram
Procedure types
Ear Pinning
Ear Pinning
Ear Pinning surgery involves ‘pinning back’ prominent ears that protrude from the head too much.
The cause of protruding ears is often down to excessive cartilage in the concha and/or an underdeveloped antihelical fold.
During the treatment your surgeon will make an incision along the crease-line behind your ear and remove any excess cartilage that is causing it to protrude. The ear cartilage is then reshaped to encourage the ear to sit in a new position, closer to the head.
Following the surgery, the area will be stitched up and a dressing wrapped around your head to support the cartilage in its new place.
The result of a Pinnaplasty procedure is naturally reshaped or resized ears that lie closer to your head. This procedure can be performed on one, or both ears to help reduce asymmetry.
Ear Reduction
If you are concerned about the enlarged size of your ears, then an ear reduction procedure can be performed to help bring oversized ears more in proportion to the rest of the face.
Ear reduction or macrotia(ears that are oversized) surgery involves making incisions into the back or folds of the ear and removing excess cartilage and skin from the upper, lower, or whole ear to allow the surgeon to reduce the height and/or width of the ear. Stitches are then used to close the incisions.
Ear Reduction surgery takes around 2 hours on average. Following surgery your ears will have dressing applied to the area to protect and support the ears.
Ear pinning surgery can also be combined with ear reduction surgery however this may need to be performed in two separate procedures depending on the nature of the ear reduction surgery. This is best discussed with your surgeon.
Ear Reduction
Ear Correction
Ear Correction
Ear correction surgery is when surgery is performed on the ear to correct a deformity that may have occurred due to injury or has been present since birth.
Ear injuries are very common and in most cases are a result of biting or lacerations which may have required emergency surgery and resulted in poor results. Ear correction surgery can help patients improve the appearance of their ears and restore confidence.
What to expect
If you plan to talk to a plastic surgeon about otoplasty, during your first visit, your plastic surgeon will:
- Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions, especially any ear infections. Your doctor may also ask about any medications you are taking or have taken recently, as well as any surgeries you have had.
- Perform a physical exam. To determine your treatment options, your doctor will examine your ears, including their placement, size, shape, and symmetry. The doctor might also take pictures of your ears for your medical record.
- Discuss your expectations. Your doctor will likely ask why you want otoplasty and what results you are expecting after the procedure. Make sure you understand the risks of otoplasty, such as possible overcorrection.
- Advise you to avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements, which can increase bleeding. Additionally, you will need to make plans for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you for the first night of your recovery.
Sometimes, the procedure is performed with sedation and local anesthesia, which only numbs a part of your body. In other cases, general anesthesia, which renders you unconscious, may be administered before the procedure. Your surgeon will tape your hair back, clean your ears with betadine, and apply medication to stop bleeding. Local anesthesia will be administered through a lidocaine injection, and the surgeon will make the incision behind the ear once the patient is fully numb. The cartilage will then be shaved and shaped before the ear is stitched back. The surgeon may pin the ears back more than desired because some of the ear may bounce back after surgery. Patients can go home on the same day.
Otoplasty techniques vary depending on the type of correction required. The specific technique chosen by your plastic surgeon will determine the location of the incisions and resulting scars. The doctor may make incisions on the backs of your ears and within the inner creases of your ears. After making incisions, the doctor may remove excess cartilage and skin, fold the cartilage into the appropriate position, and secure it with internal stitches. Additional stitches will be used to close the incisions. The procedure typically takes about two hours.
After the bandages are removed, you will notice an immediate change in the appearance of your ears. These changes are permanent.
After undergoing otoplasty, your ears will be covered with bandages to provide support and protection. This will help to minimize swelling. You may experience some discomfort and itching, for which you should take pain medication as recommended by your doctor. If you experience an increase in discomfort despite taking pain medication, contact your doctor immediately.
To avoid placing pressure on your ears, it is recommended that you avoid sleeping on your side and refrain from rubbing or applying excessive force to the incisions. You may want to consider wearing button-down shirts or loose clothing.
A few days after your surgery, your doctor will remove the bandages, revealing your swollen and red ears. You may need to wear a loose headband that covers your ears at night for a few weeks to prevent accidental pulling of your ears forward while rolling over in bed.
Some stitches dissolve on their own, while others need to be removed by your doctor in the weeks following the procedure. Consult with your doctor regarding when it is safe to resume daily activities such as bathing and physical exercise.
After the bandages are removed, you will notice an immediate permanent change in the appearance of your ears.
Doctors
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Otoplasty surgery is the only permanent solution to combat the problem of protruding or misshapen ears.
Most patients find that 2 weeks is enough time to recover from the effects of surgery however we advise patients to refrain from strenuous activities such as contact sports for up to 3 months following surgery.
It depends, in most cases we are able to see patients on a day case basis meaning they will be able to return home following surgery the same day, however in some cases the surgeon may advise you to stay one night in hospital for observation.
Ear surgery can be performed as soon as the ears have stopped growing, at about the age of 5 or 6. A significant number of otoplasty patients are school-aged children whose large or asymmetrical ears have become the source of negative attention from their peer group. Another noteworthy demographic is young adults in their 20s who have recently become financially independent enough to address cosmetic issues that have long been a source of embarrassment and shame.
No, otoplasty is not very painful. Many patients even say they don’t need pain medication after just two to three days following their ear surgery.
There are very minimal risks involved in otoplasty surgery. Possible post-operative complications could include visible scarring, infection if the entry wounds aren’t properly closed or cared for. Your hearing won’t be obscured or affected at all because otoplasty is strictly an outer ear procedure.
Otoplasty offers many benefits that make it a popular choice for parents who want to help their children and adults who wish to fix their own ears. Patients love that it is safe, versatile, and long-lasting. It also improves self-confidence and can improve interactions with others.
Children who are younger than the age of five years old are not candidates for ear surgery. This is because their ear cartilage is still developing and will be too soft for stitches to hold. Because it is such a safe procedure, there are no other major disqualifications for ear surgery. The candidate will need to be sure to discuss all medical conditions and medications with their personal physician to determine if it will be safe for them to complete the surgery, depending on their personal situation.
