Have you heard about otoplasty?
Recently I saw an otoplasty patient for her 3 month follow-up visit. She was wearing her hair in a stylish up-do, something she had always wanted to do but could not because of her funky ears. So, finally, at age 63 she’s got a pair of ears that don’t embarrass her. And a week earlier, I had evaluated a 12 year old for a one sided otoplasty. He had one perfect ear and one funky ear. I will be doing his otoplasty during his spring break. This procedure has about the widest age range of any of the procedures I do.
Most otoplasty patients present with prominent ears. In most cases these ears stick out because they lack a normal fold in the cartilage. Surgery creates a normal fold using several stitches in the cartilage on the back side of the ear and sometimes a strip of cartilage is removed from the concha or the bowl of the ear. This surgery can be done with a local anesthetic and I.V. sedation, or under a general anesthetic. Postoperative pain is moderate and it’s important to wear a headband for a week and take it easy for about 2-3 weeks after surgery. Most otoplasty patients have a quick recovery and, as in the case of my 63 year old patient, wish they hadn’t waited so long.
Thanks for reading! Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder
@lisalynnsowder
