Facial Procedures

Ear Surgery / Earwell

Large, protruding or misshapen ears can make you or a loved one feel self-conscious. Those concerned about the appearance of their ears may even limit their hairstyle choices or feel shame whenever they need to expose their ears. Luckily, there is a way to change the shape, size and position of the ears, and that is with ear surgery.

Ear surgery can be performed on both children and adults to correct a number of common ear abnormalities. In addition to surgery, we also prescribe EarWell® as a nonsurgical solution for infants with congenital ear deformities.

What Is Ear Surgery?

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, is cosmetic surgery performed on the outer ear. Medically referred to as the auricle or pinna, the outer ear is composed of cartilage and skin. Genetic conditions, injuries and disease can cause these structures not to develop properly, in which case, otoplasty can help. 

At Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery, we perform different types of otoplasties. Some of the techniques we use increase the size of underdeveloped ears. Others pin the ears closer to the head or reduce the size of large ears. We also perform revisions of previous otoplasties for patients who are not happy with their results. 

 

What Does Ear Surgery Treat?

Ear surgery can treat a wide range of ear abnormalities caused by genetics, birth defects, trauma and disease. The most common problems treated with otoplasty are:

  • Ears that protrude too far from the head (i.e. prominent ears)
  • Ears that are misshapen due to congenital disabilities, injury or diseases
  • Abnormally large or small ears

Dr. Naman also performs revision otoplasty on patients who did not achieve the results they were hoping for from a previous otoplasty. 

 

Good Candidates for Ear Surgery

Most people in relatively good health can get ear surgery. However, where children are concerned, it is a good idea to wait until a child is five years old to perform this procedure. That is because the ear has fully formed by this time. Performing otoplasty while the ears are still developing can lead to unpredictable changes. 

Candidates for ear surgery should be in generally good health, meaning they should not have a medical condition that causes problems with wound healing or bleeding. Candidates should also be non-smokers as smoking decreases blood flow to all tissues, putting patients at risk of poor wound healing and infections.  

Our entire staff wants only the best for you or your child. During your initial consultation, we will discuss if you are a good candidate for surgery and how the end results will look. If you ever have any questions at any point in the process, you are always welcome to ask questions. We want you to feel comfortable and safe during your time with us.

Ear Surgery: What to Expect 

Ear surgery is a relatively simple outpatient procedure. But because it involves anesthesia and incisions, some level of preparation and downtime is involved. 

 

Preparation

Preparation starts with a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons at Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery. During your consultation, our surgeons will review your medical history, evaluate your ears and talk to you about what the treatment entails. 

If you are deemed a good candidate and the surgeon schedules your treatment, you may need to undergo medical evaluation and lab testing. You will also be given pre-treatment instructions. 

While these are often individualized, patients are usually told to: 

  • Discontinue certain medications and supplements a week before the procedure (e.g. NSAIDs, fish oil and vitamin E, as these thin the blood). 
  • Quit smoking for at least a month prior to treatment to minimize the risk of infections. 
  • Arrange for someone to drive you back home on the day of your procedure.

Treatment

Surgery is performed in our Brookstone Ambulatory Surgery Center (BASC). Adults and older children typically receive local anesthesia with sedation, while younger children have this surgery under general anesthesia. The surgery usually takes between one and three hours to complete. 

During a typical otoplasty procedure, surgeons make incisions on the back of the ears or along the inner creases of the ears. After that, they usually remove excess skin and cartilage and reposition the ears using internal sutures. The incisions are then closed with stitches, and the treatment site is covered in dressings. In rare cases, surgeons may first need to harvest cartilage from the chest to reconstruct small or misshapen ears.

 

Recovery & Results

You will be discharged from the hospital on the day of your procedure. You will have compression dressings wrapped around your ears, which you will need to wear for up to 10 days. In the first few days, your ears will feel swollen and sore. Swelling should begin to subside within the first 72 hours and be completely gone by three months. 

You will see your changes as soon as you are allowed to take off your compression headband, but the final results appear between three and six months post-procedure when the skin and cartilage have healed and settled. 

EarWell®: Otoplasty Alternative

Ear deformities become apparent in infancy and often become established by early childhood. Some parents prefer not to wait to correct these issues, as waiting until the child can undergo surgery can put them at risk of ridicule, abuse and social isolation, and surgery is a more painful and expensive option. 

If you would prefer your child receive treatment early and with less discomfort, you can opt for the EarWell® System now available at Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery. With a success rate of over 90%, the EarWell® is one of the best surgical alternatives for congenital ear deformities.

 

Want to Learn More About Ear Surgery in Columbus, GA?

Having ears that are larger than normal, prominent or misshapen can have a negative impact on your well-being and, in children, on social development. If you or your child are residents of Columbus, Atlanta or any other area in Georgia, we invite you to contact our team at Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery to talk about your concerns. 

To learn more about ear surgery in Columbus, GA, call Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery at (706) 494-7700 or fill out our online appointment form.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

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