OTOPLASTY & EAR SURGERY

Otoplasty or Ear Pinning

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Otoplasty, or ear surgery, refers to the surgical correction of ears to pin them back, reduce them in size, correct a deformity, or make them more symmetrical. This is done when the ears have fully grown, which occurs at the age of 5 or 6 years old. Protuberant ears can be a devastating aesthetic deformity, especially for the maturing child subject to the ridicule of his or her peers. Adults are also good candidates for an Otoplasty, which can be done in conjunction with other facial plastic cosmetic procedures. Otoplasty is a simple straight forward procedure, which can give the ears a natural shape, orientation and configuration, and have dramatic positive effects on one's self esteem. 
 

Parents who are considering Otoplasty for their child need to recognize that an Otoplasty not only provides a cosmetic improvement, but also a psychological improvement as well. Often parents feel guilty that they are considering a cosmetic procedure for their child, but with an Otoplasty or Ear Pinning Surgery, it will provide untold benefits to their child's self esteem. Furthermore, a child's ear cartilage is less firm than an adult's ear cartilage. This makes it more pliable, and Dr. Aharonov can easily shape it into the best cosmetic result.
 

At the time of your consultation, Dr. Aharonov will examine the structure of the both ears and discuss the best options available for correcting your individual problems. Dr. Aharonov is a Board Certified Otolaryngologist, which means that he has advanced surgical training with ears, in addition to his specialty training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 
 

There are two principal conditions that require Otoplasty for cosmetic reasons. These may exist in isolation or in combination. A "lop-ear deformity" refers to the absence of an ear-cartilage fold known as the antihelix, which is the smaller curved inner ridge of the ear that parallels the outer curve of the ear. This type of deformity presents as an abnormally shaped ear that tends to flop forward. The second common condition is a "cup-ear deformity," which refers to the exuberant cup-like cartilage bowl that resides near the actual ear canal that in turn makes the ear project out excessively. Surgery involves identifying the exact cosmetic problem and intervening in a targeted approach and on a timely basis.