Otoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery to change the appearance of a person's external ears. Otoplasty can take many forms, such as bringing the ears closer to the head (often called ear pinning), reducing the size of very big ears, or reshaping various bends in the cartilage. Other reconstructive procedures deal with the deformed, or absent (microtic) ears. Otoplasty surgery can involve a combination of moving, reshaping, adding, or removing structural ear elements.

For many ear operations, one or more incisions give access to the structures to be sculpted. The main, and often only incision, is behind the ear. Other possible incisions depend on what needs to be done. Through the incision behind the ear, the concha bowl can be moved closer to the head, a small tunnel created along the front of a poorly folded anthihelix weaken this cartilage, sutures placed to reshape the anti-helix fold, and to balance the ear lobe with the rest of the ear.

Ear reduction otoplasty may involve reducing one or more components of the ear. Incisions are typically hidden near folds in the front when a part of this surgery.

Addressing Microtia (small ear deformity) or Anotia  (missing ear deformity) involve augmentation or adding elements to replace deformed or missing structures. Cartilage from the ear or rib are the most common for these more extensive reconstructions. Other ear shapes may be changed through moving, adding, and weakening ear structures.

Internal sutures often are permanent. The wound(s) are then closed with either dissolvable sutures or ones that are removed by Dr. Dehghan after the wounds have healed. An ear dressing protects the ear after surgery. Call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dehghan.

To view before and after images, click here. For more information about otoplasty, click here.