Cosmetic ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, helps patients achieve a balanced facial look with proportionate-looking ears. The treatment involves changing the ears' size, shape, or position to give you an attractive appearance.
Some patients have ears that stick out too much from the side of the face or have abnormally large or small size. Patients might have a physical defect in their ear, either congenital or due to mishaps that happen later in life. The cosmetic surgery can treat these misalignment in the facial features which are a cause of a loss of self-esteem.
This blog discusses what cosmetic ear surgery options patients have to help them correct their deformities and boost their self-confidence.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery Options
Whether the patients have prominent or protruding ears, cosmetic defects can easily be corrected with plastic surgery. Individuals can receive the treatment once they are 5-6 years old. This is because their ears have usually grown to full size by this age and thus there are little to no chances of further growth that may impair the results of surgery. Cosmetic ear surgery takes around two hours and is done under general anesthesia for children and local anesthesia combined with a mild sedative for adults – in an outpatient setting.
Ear Pinning Surgery
Ear pinning surgery corrects protruding ears out from the head. During this approach, your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon makes a small incision behind the ear in the natural crease that joins your ear with the head. Then, they remove extra cartilage, trim its edges to shape it naturally, and cut out the excess skin. Afterward, the ear is pinned close to the head permanently with sutures to keep it in the desired position.
Corrections are sometimes made by merely suturing the cartilage close to the head without removing it along with the skin. Ear pinning carries minimal risks as the procedure does not affect hearing. The scar is also well-hidden behind the ear and the surgery thus gives you scar-less results.
Ear Reduction Surgery
Ear reduction surgery caters to the patient having abnormally large ears (macrotia) that do not seem well-proportioned with their head. It also corrects the unbalanced position of the ears if one ear sits higher than the other.
In this procedure, your Plastic Surgeon make an incision at the junction between the scapha (the groove) and the helical rim of the ear. They then remove the crescent of excess cartilage and the corresponding skin.
Your Plastic Surgeon may also cut out a wedge-shaped portion on the helical rim and then close the edges with sutures to close the incision. In this way, the ear is reduced in size, and the scar is hidden in the crease over the helical rim.
What to Expect?
Patients opting for cosmetic ear surgery options can expect multiple benefits from the procedure.
- Ears present with more symmetry in relation to the facial features
- Improved appearance
- Balanced and natural-looking results
- Scars are well-hidden either at the back or along the creases of ears
- Boost in confidence
- Safe and effective treatment
What Does Recovery Look Like?
After the otoplasty procedure, your ears are bandaged to protect and support them against pressure and promote reduction in swelling. During recovery, use a headband while sleeping to provide protection, and don't sleep on your sides to keep off the pressure from your ears. You can resume your daily routine within 7-10 days. However, heavy exercises are to be put on hold till fully recovery.
Want to Know More?
If you are interested in knowing more about ear surgery in Dubai, feel free to contact the Al Shunnar patient care team. Our coordinators will readily schedule a personal consultation session for you with one of our Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.
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