EAR SHAPING (OTOPLASTY)

There are many varieties of ear shaping procedures available for children and adults in the Fort Lauderdale and Miami area. Which one a surgeon uses depends mainly on the nature of the deformity to be corrected. Usually the surgeon first cuts and shapes the underlying cartilage, then re-drapes the skin. However, more severe deformities-including partial or total loss of the ear (due to birth deformity, trauma, or tumor removal)-will require more extensive procedures and, sometimes, multiple ear shaping surgeries.

• Price estimate for otoplasty: $3,000 – $5,000+
• Type of anesthesia: general (children), twilight or local (adults)
• Duration of surgery: 2 to 3 hours
• Surgical facility: AAAA-certified Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Recovery time: 1 to 2 weeks
• Discomfort: mild

 

 

BEFORE & AFTER EAR SHAPING

View more real patients in our photo gallery.

EAR SHAPING: CORRECTION OF MILD TRAUMATIC AND POST-CANCER EAR DEFORMITIES

Most of the deformities of this type come after partial loss of the ear due to trauma or cancer. These deformities present in a variety of forms affecting different parts of the ear.

The general principle of this ear shaping repair is to replace missing cartilage and skin with similar tissue from elsewhere. This is usually achieved by taking a small amount of cartilage from the other ear and using surrounding skin or a deep tissue (fascia) to cover it. Achieving a satisfactory ear shape may require multiple surgeries, usually under local anesthesia.

• Price estimate for earlobe repair: $550 – $1,250+
• Type of anesthesia: local or twilight
• Duration of surgery: 1 to 3 hours
• Surgical facility: AAAA-certified Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Recovery time: 1 to 2 weeks
• Discomfort: none to mild

EAR SHAPING: CORRECTION OF BIRTH DEFORMITIES

Reconstruction of the ear is one of the greatest challenges in the field of plastic surgery. It consists of carving delicately convoluted ear cartilage from a patient’s own rib cartilage. After this, the surgeon creates a pocket underneath the skin, places the framework, secures it in the selected position, and then fastens the skin to the framework by use of a small vacuum drain. A bulky head dressing is then applied for five to seven days.

This major ear shaping procedure is usually done at preschool age (6), when a child’s ears have grown to almost adult size and rib cartilage is at a reasonable size. Several additional surgical stages may be needed to provide fine details of normal looking ears. This surgery should be performed only by an expert in ear reconstruction, and multiple preoperative consults should be obtained before undergoing surgery.

Ear reconstruction with an ear prosthesis or a prefabricated implant is used when surgical reconstruction is impractical or for older patients.

• Type of anesthesia: general
• Duration of surgery: 4 to 6 hours
• Surgical facility: hospital
• Recovery time: 3 to 6 weeks
• Discomfort: moderate

EAR SHAPING: CORRECTION OF PROMINENT EARS

Prominent ears are one of the most frequent ear deformities. The child (or adult) with prominent ears is often intensely concerned and self-conscious about his or her appearance. The character of the ear cartilage deformity affects the surgeon’s choice of ear shaping treatment.

In general, ear cartilage is selectively cut and weakened and then folded using sutures to a desired, more typical shape. The thin ear skin is then draped over reshaped cartilage, and the incision is closed with sutures hidden in the groove behind the ear. Ears are packed with cotton, and a bulky head dressing is applied for two to seven days.

• Type of anesthesia: general (children), twilight or local (adults)
• Duration of surgery: 2 to 3 hours
• Surgical facility: AAAA-certified Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Recovery time: 1 to 2 weeks
• Discomfort: mild

EAR SHAPING: SPLIT OR TORN EARLOBE REPAIR

Torn earlobes are a common problem with pierced earlobes. Once the stretching or tear is completed, the only way to fix it is surgical repair. This ear shaping procedure will require excision (refreshing) of the edges so they can be sewn together. The excision can be in the form of straight line, a Z shape, or an L shape. The excision selected will depend on the shape of the tear and the shape of the earlobe.

Re-piercing should be done several days, weeks, or months after this ear shaping repair. The best place for the new hole is to the side of the scar.

• Type of anesthesia: local
• Duration of surgery: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Surgical facility: office
• Recovery time: 1 week
• Discomfort: none

LEARN MORE ABOUT EAR SHAPING

Dr. Zoran Potparic is available to discuss ear shaping options with Fort Lauderdale-area patients who have questions. Before and after pictures are available for visual reference. To set up a free consultation at his Fort Lauderdale office, or for more information about ear shaping, please call (954) 779-2777 or contact us online.