Otoplasty or Ear Pinning Ear Pinning or Otoplasty is a very common procedure for children. Children between four and fourteen years old are the most common age for this procedure. Otoplasty is a surgery used to correct protruding ears or excessive cartilage in the ear, deformed or large earlobes, and a lop ear where the tip will bend down and forward. Malformed ears are cupped or shelled ears which is an ear without natural creases. Also, this procedure will correct ears at birth that are not visible.
Reasons for Surgery At the age of 4, children's ears should be almost fully developed. To reduce the chance of a child being teased, this procedure is used to improve the appearance of the ears. At this young age, there are minimal surgical risks involved. Adults typically have firmer cartilage and completed developed ears, but children have a better healing and shaping capacity so a perfect candidate will be on the younger side. It is recommended that a child have this procedure done so the teasing is kept to a minimum.
Because of traumatic injury or birth defects there have been many techniques created to help patients with their ears.
Preparing for Surgery Between the patient's needs and the surgeon the kind of surgery performed can vary. A surgeon will check the structure of the ears and see what needs to be corrected with the ear. If one ear needs to be corrected, the other may need to so they can both match each other and look natural.
The ears will be examined for level of the ear-soft tissue deformity (fat and skin), excessive skin that surrounds the ear, mal-positioning or how much ear cartilage there is, and the general anatomy of the ears.
The Procedure The surgery is performed in a physician's office, an outpatient medical surgery center, or even a hospital. General anesthesia is used for younger patients, and for adults and older children a combination of a mild sedative with a local anesthetic. The surgery time is around two hours.
There are two primary methods of pinning ears. The first way to make an unnoticable incision on the back of the ear. The surgeon then molds and sculpts the cartilage. Next the surgeon moves or repositions the ear closer to the head to achieve the desired more natural appearance. To ensure the procedure is successful, the surgeon may use permanent stitches. Occasionally extra cartilage will be also be removed during this procedure.
The second way to perform an otoplasty is to remove the skin from the ear and the fold the cartilage back. Using this approach no cartilage is actually removed. To fix the ear in place, non removable stitches are utilized. For the incision location, however, removable or dissolving stitches are used. If removable stitches are used they will typically be taken out in around a week.
If the patient has Congenital Microtia, or ear absence, a complete reconstruction is suggested. To perform this procedure the ear is shaped from tissue from the ribs and a skin graft placed around the newly formed ear. After affixing the ear, the ear canal is constructed. In some instances an ear lobe has to be created.
Variations of this all of these procedures exist depending on the circumstances. If an injury or burn is the cause, several skin grafts may be performed to achieve a normal appearance.
Recovery Sometimes an overnight stay could occur with surgery but this is very rare. Patients usually return the same day of the procedure or just a few hours. Using a thick bandage, the head is wrapped. This bandage is carefully fitted so the ears will stay in place and help with healing. A lighter bandage will be used in a few days after the procedure. The patient will receive instructions on how to use the new bandage. There will also be a postoperative instruction list to follow.
Young patients will not be able to run or play for around a week after surgery. It is critical to not disturb or accidentally move for the first three weeks to speed the healing process. Adults can typically resume the normal daily schedules after about three days. Also, for at least a month it is important to not bend the ears in any way.
A patient may experience headaches, edema (swelling), numbness and generalized pain. To help with these symptoms, patients should should raise the head for swelling and whatever medicine the doctor prescribes for headaches. Some side effects such as itching or numbness are possible and may last six months or longer.
Risks and Complications of Otoplasty Surgery Complications are extremely rare with Otoplasty Surgery. Blood clots may occur in or around the ear, or an infection may happen in the cartilage. If an infection occurs an antibiotic will be administered. Scar tissue will occasionally form. Also, there is typically a small visible scar behind the ear. Surgeons will try their best to minimize scarring, of course. For young patients, the scar will typically get smaller as they get older.
The Cost of Otoplasty Surgery Costs for ear pinning surgery start at around $4,800 and go up to around $7,000. The overall costs are dependent upon the type of surgery, length of the procedure, and the surgeon himself. Sometimes insurance companies will cover this procedure and the usual deductible will apply. For those without coverage, sometimes there is financing that can be utilized. There are many options, so the patient should talk to the surgeon and facility to learn all of the details.
A patient always should use a board certified plastic surgeon that is registered with the ABMS or American Board of Plastic Surgery. Check to make sure they have ear surgery experience and expertise with plastic surgery of the face. - 42631
Reasons for Surgery At the age of 4, children's ears should be almost fully developed. To reduce the chance of a child being teased, this procedure is used to improve the appearance of the ears. At this young age, there are minimal surgical risks involved. Adults typically have firmer cartilage and completed developed ears, but children have a better healing and shaping capacity so a perfect candidate will be on the younger side. It is recommended that a child have this procedure done so the teasing is kept to a minimum.
Because of traumatic injury or birth defects there have been many techniques created to help patients with their ears.
Preparing for Surgery Between the patient's needs and the surgeon the kind of surgery performed can vary. A surgeon will check the structure of the ears and see what needs to be corrected with the ear. If one ear needs to be corrected, the other may need to so they can both match each other and look natural.
The ears will be examined for level of the ear-soft tissue deformity (fat and skin), excessive skin that surrounds the ear, mal-positioning or how much ear cartilage there is, and the general anatomy of the ears.
The Procedure The surgery is performed in a physician's office, an outpatient medical surgery center, or even a hospital. General anesthesia is used for younger patients, and for adults and older children a combination of a mild sedative with a local anesthetic. The surgery time is around two hours.
There are two primary methods of pinning ears. The first way to make an unnoticable incision on the back of the ear. The surgeon then molds and sculpts the cartilage. Next the surgeon moves or repositions the ear closer to the head to achieve the desired more natural appearance. To ensure the procedure is successful, the surgeon may use permanent stitches. Occasionally extra cartilage will be also be removed during this procedure.
The second way to perform an otoplasty is to remove the skin from the ear and the fold the cartilage back. Using this approach no cartilage is actually removed. To fix the ear in place, non removable stitches are utilized. For the incision location, however, removable or dissolving stitches are used. If removable stitches are used they will typically be taken out in around a week.
If the patient has Congenital Microtia, or ear absence, a complete reconstruction is suggested. To perform this procedure the ear is shaped from tissue from the ribs and a skin graft placed around the newly formed ear. After affixing the ear, the ear canal is constructed. In some instances an ear lobe has to be created.
Variations of this all of these procedures exist depending on the circumstances. If an injury or burn is the cause, several skin grafts may be performed to achieve a normal appearance.
Recovery Sometimes an overnight stay could occur with surgery but this is very rare. Patients usually return the same day of the procedure or just a few hours. Using a thick bandage, the head is wrapped. This bandage is carefully fitted so the ears will stay in place and help with healing. A lighter bandage will be used in a few days after the procedure. The patient will receive instructions on how to use the new bandage. There will also be a postoperative instruction list to follow.
Young patients will not be able to run or play for around a week after surgery. It is critical to not disturb or accidentally move for the first three weeks to speed the healing process. Adults can typically resume the normal daily schedules after about three days. Also, for at least a month it is important to not bend the ears in any way.
A patient may experience headaches, edema (swelling), numbness and generalized pain. To help with these symptoms, patients should should raise the head for swelling and whatever medicine the doctor prescribes for headaches. Some side effects such as itching or numbness are possible and may last six months or longer.
Risks and Complications of Otoplasty Surgery Complications are extremely rare with Otoplasty Surgery. Blood clots may occur in or around the ear, or an infection may happen in the cartilage. If an infection occurs an antibiotic will be administered. Scar tissue will occasionally form. Also, there is typically a small visible scar behind the ear. Surgeons will try their best to minimize scarring, of course. For young patients, the scar will typically get smaller as they get older.
The Cost of Otoplasty Surgery Costs for ear pinning surgery start at around $4,800 and go up to around $7,000. The overall costs are dependent upon the type of surgery, length of the procedure, and the surgeon himself. Sometimes insurance companies will cover this procedure and the usual deductible will apply. For those without coverage, sometimes there is financing that can be utilized. There are many options, so the patient should talk to the surgeon and facility to learn all of the details.
A patient always should use a board certified plastic surgeon that is registered with the ABMS or American Board of Plastic Surgery. Check to make sure they have ear surgery experience and expertise with plastic surgery of the face. - 42631
About the Author:
Dr. Steven Ross seeks to help everyone navigate all of the confusing options surrounding plastic surgery. Being based in Houston, he also has a business checking your Texas driving record. And on a more somber note, also Houston funeral homes.
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