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Ear Pinning Surgery - Chicago Plastic Surgery
Are you considering ear pinning?
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the
size of large ears. Ear pinning is a very common procedure performed by Chicago plastic surgeons.
Search Chicago plastic surgeons performing ear pinning surgery.
For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost
fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have
to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated
with ear surgery on an older patient.
If you're considering ear surgery for yourself or your child, this information will give you a basic understanding
of the procedure-when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you can expect. It can't answer all of
your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask your Chicago plastic
surgeon if there is anything you don't understand about the procedure.
Potential risks or ear pinning surgery
When ear surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced Chicago plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent
and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific
complications associated with this procedure.
A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out
with a needle. Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form.
Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected
area.
Planning for ear pinning surgery
Most Chicago plastic surgeons recommend that parents stay alert to their child's feelings about protruding
ears; don't insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about
their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.
In the initial meeting, your surgeon will evaluate your child's condition, or yours if you are considering
surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. He or she will also give you specific
instructions on how to prepare for surgery.
Where the ear pinning surgery will be performed
Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure in a hospital, a doctor's office-based surgical
facility, or a freestanding surgery center. Occasionally, your Chicago doctor may recommend that the procedure be
done as an inpatient procedure, in which case you can plan on staying overnight in the hospital.
Types of anesthesia used in ear pinning surgery
If your child is young, your Chicago plastic surgeon may recommend general anesthesia, so the child will
sleep through the operation. For older children or adults, the surgeon may prefer to use local anesthesia,
combined with a sedative, so you or your child will be awake but relaxed.
The ear pinning surgery itself
Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The
technique will depend on the problem.
With one of the more common techniques, the Chicago plastic surgeon makes a small incision in the back of the
ear to expose the ear cartilage. He or she will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head.
Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove a
larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.
Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used
to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.
In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even
when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.
Getting back to normal after ear pinning surger
Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery, although you may prefer to stay
overnight in the hospital with a child until all the effects of general anesthesia wear off.
The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best
molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by
medication.
Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Be
sure to follow your surgeon's directions for wearing this dressing, especially at night.
Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to
work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they're careful
about playground activity. You may want to ask your child's teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.
Other ear problems
Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These
include: "lop ear," when the tip seems to fold down and forward; "cupped ear," which is usually a very small
ear; and "shell ear," when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing.
Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons can
even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury.
Sometimes, however, the correction can leave a scar that's worse than the original problem. Ask your surgeon
about the effectiveness of surgery for your specific case.
More natural looking ears
Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery. But keep in mind, the goal
is improvement, not perfection. Don't expect both ears to match perfectly-perfect symmetry is both unlikely
and unnatural in ears. If you've discussed the procedure with your Chicago plastic surger and your expectations with the surgeon before the
operation, chances are, you'll be quite pleased with the result.
Reference: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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