Otoplasty for Misshapen Ears
Many people think of plastic surgery as an elective procedure that can enhance the appearance of the face or figure. Indeed, cosmetic surgery has many uses and can improve imperfections on numerous parts of the body, including the ears. Misshapen ears can draw a lot of unwanted attention, especially when a person has a short hairstyle that can’t conceal imperfections on the ears.
Otoplasty surgery can reshape and reposition the ears so that they blend in more naturally with the facial features. If misshapen ears have become your most prominent feature, this procedure may be right for you. Plastic surgeon Gregory Mesna discusses otoplasty for misshapen ears at his Minneapolis, MN patients, including which individuals may benefit from this procedure.
Candidates
Patients who have been teased about their ears know how greatly even minor imperfections can impact their confidence. Otoplasty surgery allows those who are dissatisfied with the size or shape of their ears to enhance their appearance. Otoplasty surgery can address a wide range of cosmetic flaws related to the ears, including the following:
- Ears that stick out or protrude
- Overly large ears
- Ears that are misshapen
- Ears that have not formed properly due to underdeveloped or overdeveloped cartilage
Often, these issues are apparent in small children. An imperfection such as misshaped ears can make a child a target for bullies or relentless teasing, so many of our patients ask whether ostoplasty is appropriate for younger children.
However, age is only a minor factor in determining otoplasty candidacy. As long as the ears have reached their full stage of development (which is typically around the age of five), a person is healthy enough to undergo surgery, and is able to fully understand and follow directions, patients should be ideal candidates for otoplasty. Dr. Mesna has successfully performed otoplasty on children and adults, with overwhelmingly positive results.
The Procedure
Otoplasty surgery is performed using sedation to keep the patient completely comfortable throughout treatment. In many cases, this procedure can be performed with local anesthetic, but Dr. Mesna can use general anesthesia for small children or patients who are particularly anxious about their procedure.
Once the patient is properly sedated, Dr. Mesna will make necessary alterations to adjust the shape or position of the ears. Since each patient has unique concerns that need to be addressed, the procedure will vary from patient to patient. Surgery may involve removing cartilage, creating a suture to “pin” the ears to the head, or using tissue grafts to build and enhance the shape of the ear. Even if a patient is primarily concerned with the appearance of one ear, otoplasty is typically performed on both ears. This ensures that the ears will be even and symmetrical after surgery is complete.
Contact Us
If you have more questions about the otoplasty procedure, or would like to know if you or your child is an ideal candidate for treatment, Dr. Gregory Mesna would be happy to help. Contact us at your earliest convenience to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mesna.