Ear Surgery Questions: What Is Otoplasty?

When most people think of plastic surgery, the ears may not spring to mind as a body part that people seek to change. However, cosmetic ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a procedure that can change the position, size, and shape of the ears. Most often an otoplasty corrects ears that stick out, this is known as “ear pinning” surgery.  Otoplasty can correct birth defects, injuries that altered the shape of the ear, or if someone is simply unhappy with the appearance of the ears. It is a simple procedure that normally does not take longer than a couple hours. Additionally, even if the birth defect or issue only afflicts one ear, both ears are usually operated on to maximize symmetry and lead to the best result. Occasionally, only one ear is treated, but this is rare.  Patients can undergo the procedure as soon as the ears fully form, so normally anytime after age five. Adults and children undergo the procedure frequently in the United States. It is generally a well tolerated surgery and most patients recover quickly with little scarring. While incision placement will vary based on the goals of the procedure, most otoplasty incisions are hidden behind or in the natural creases of the ear. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Craig Jonov, call us at 425-775-3561 or contact us online