EAR SURGERY

Otoplasty
Prominent ears can be a source of ridicule and embarrassment, particularly for children. Often, people who feel their ears protrude too far from their head will try to conceal their ears with longer hairstyles or hats.

The problem is usually a lack of adequate folding of the ear cartilage such that instead of folding back on itself, the ear cartilage continues as a large bowl-shape. The prominent ear can be surgically corrected to a more aesthetically pleasing shape with a lower profile from the head. During the procedure, through an incision behind the ear, the cartilage is reshaped to the desired contour using stitches placed in the rear of the ear, which do not show after surgery. Usually the recovery is rapid and relatively painless. Patient satisfaction is very high with this procedure.

The First Office Visit
During the consultation, Dr. Parson will take a thorough medical history, including any history of developmental disorders, hearing problems, or problems which may interfere with the performance of a safe outpatient operation, such as a history of heart disease, smoking, diabetes, bleeding tendencies, or other medical problems.

The ears are examined and compared to each other and to "normal" guidelines. Careful measurements will be made and the nature of the prominence is determined and explained to you by Dr. Parson. He will describe the operation which will correct the problem and its associated risks. Often, patients want their ear prominence corrected more dramatically than is appropriate with respect to their other features.

Risks of Otoplasty
Ear surgery has few complications, most of which are minor. These would include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, temporary or even permanent numbness, visible folding of the ear cartilage, and prominence of the scar behind the ear. A series of permanent stitches are placed beneath the skin of the back of the ear. One of these may break at some later time, and rarely the suture can erode through the skin.

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