What is otoplasty?
Ear surgery (otoplasty) is a surgical procedure to correct prominent, (outstanding) ears or ears that are too large. Prominent ears are usually first noticed in young children, however, surgical correction of this problem is best delayed until a child is at least five to six years old. At this age the ears will have reached their full adult size. It is also about this age that children start being ridiculed by their playmates causing them to become very self-conscious about their prominent ears. It is best if the ears are corrected before they become too embarrassed about this problem. Many adults also have this problem and tend to hide it by wearing their hair long and over their ears. This adult ear problem may also be corrected with otoplasty (ear revision /reduction) surgery.
How is otoplasty performed?
During the initial consultation in San Francisco, Dr. Kaplan will examine the ears in detail and will discuss the deformity and the various methods of correction. The otoplasty procedure is performed in Dr. Kaplan’s private operating suite and may be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with I.V. sedation. The surgical ear correction places the incision in a natural fold of skin in a very inconspicuous area behind the ear. Through a combination of several surgical maneuvers and sutures the folds and angles of the ear are restored to a more pleasing natural position.*
A soft head dressing is applied after surgery and left on for four to five days so as to protect the new ears.* The dressing is then removed and a protective head gear (the type that wrestlers wear) is worn when sleeping for the next four weeks to protect the newly shaped and positioned ears. The results of ear revision surgery (otoplasty) can improve both appearance and self-confidence.*
To schedule an ear revision (otoplasty) consultation with Dr. Kaplan, please contact our office in San Francisco at (415) 923-3005.
