Otoplasty
Otoplasty, or ear pinning surgery, can improve the appearance of ears that protrude and bring them in better proportion to the face. At Elle Aesthetic Arts & Plastic Surgery in Ashburn, VA, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Larry Lickstein performs a range of facial plastic surgery, including otoplasty for adults and children in Loudoun County, Northern Virginia, and beyond.
What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty, also known as ear correction surgery, is a procedure to correct the appearance of overly prominent ears. For patients who are bothered by ears that “stick out” from their face, otoplasty can improve the position and shape of protruding ears so they lay closer to the sides of the head and are less noticeable.
Benefits of Otoplasty
- Prominent ear deformities are corrected
- Improved self-esteem and relief from the psychological stress of protruding ears1
- Results are natural-looking and permanent
- Scars are rarely visible
Adult Otoplasty
At Elle Aesthetic Arts, we most frequently perform otoplasty on adult patients. Many of our patients have suffered teasing, low self-esteem, and other negative impacts of ears they were told they would “grow into” but never did. Others have noticed ear deformities becoming more prominent as they reach adulthood, or have noticed changes to the appearance of their ears caused by aging. Whatever the cause of our adult otoplasty patients’ concerns, Dr. Lickstein can address them and help them regain confidence in their appearance.
Otoplasty and Ear Pinning Procedures for Children
Otoplasty is often performed on children because human ears fully develop as young as 8 years old. Parents often seek out ear pinning procedures because they notice that their children try to hide prominent ears with hats or their hair and they wish to save their children from low-self esteem or teasing by their peers. One clinical study found that 97% of children who had otoplasty reported an increase in overall happiness.
How Does Otoplasty Work?
Preparing for Otoplasty
The first step in the otoplasty process is a consultation appointment. Dr. Lickstein, who is known for his friendly and compassionate manner, will examine the patient and discuss medical history and aesthetic concerns. He will also answer any questions you have and explain your options in detail before recommending a treatment plan. If otoplasty is right for you or your child, he will provide pre-surgical guidelines.
The Otoplasty Procedure
Otoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure performed with full sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Lickstein will make an incision in the natural crease of the ear, where any scarring will be virtually undetectable. He will then remove any cartilage if needed and suture the remaining cartilage into a more proportionate shape and position.
Recovery After Otoplasty Surgery
The ears will be bandaged and you will be given detailed post-procedure instructions, including guidance on pain medication if needed. Dr. Lickstein will schedule a follow-up appointment to remove the bandages and assess recovery progress. You may be advised to wear a headband during sleep to protect your ears during the recovery period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Otoplasty
Is my child a candidate for otoplasty?
If your child is bothered by the prominence of their ears, then otoplasty may be a solution to help them feel more confident. Ideal candidates are in good general health and have ears that are fully developed.
When will otoplasty results be visible?
Although the ears may be swollen during the initial healing period, results will be visible immediately and any swelling will subside within a few weeks.
Contact Us
If you are interested in otoplasty for your or your child, we are here to answer any questions you have so you can make an informed decision. Contact us to schedule a consultation appointment.
1 Ronen Nazarian and Adrien A. Eshraghi. Otoplasty for the Protruded Ear. Semin Plast Surg. 2011 Nov; 25(4): 288–294. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1288921
2 Cooper-Hobson G, Jaffe W. The benefits of otoplasty for children: further evidence to satisfy the modern NHS. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2009 Feb;62(2):190-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2007.09.020. Epub 2007 Nov 26. PMID: 18032121.