Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery:  Thomas M. DeWire, MD, FACS, Surgery Center and Spa,  3974 Springfield Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23260, Richmond, Virginia, USA

Otoplasty or Ear Pinning 

Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery

Thomas M. DeWire, Sr., MD, FACS

Specializing in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Facial Rejuvenation Surgery

Otoplasty or Ear Pinning

 

Otoplasty or Ear Pinning:
Deformity of  the ears is among  the commonest  visible birth defects in children.     This problem varies in complexity  and often remains unrepaired into adulthood,  especially with the current  reluctance  of   "managed-care"  plans  to underwrite the  cost  of appropriate surgery.   Often typified  by failure of  the outer rim of  the ear to fold  back toward  the scalp during fetal development,  this defect results  in  outward  protrusion of    the   ears,     and   thus   undue    prominence.     This  ear  deformity often results in taunts by other children, and is thus thought  to  best  be  repaired  before a  child  enters school. The  surgical  procedure  to  repair  protruding  ears  is  best done  under  general  anesthesia in  young children, but can  be  easily  be  carried  out  under  local  anesthesia,   with  or without   sedation,   in    teen   and   adult   patients.    Surgical repair  involves exposing  and  reshaping the deformed  ear  cartilages,  creating  the  missing ear  folds,  and  positioning the ears  in  proper location adjacent  to  the mastoid  bones of  the skull.   A  special contour-conforming  ear-dressing  is used  for  about 5-7 days post-op to prevent disruption of the repair,  and  a  protective   head-band  is  recommended  for six  weeks   to   protect   the  repair  and  allow  it   to stabilize.  The  woman   pictured   below   had   spent  her  life  wearing hairstyles to hide the protrusion of   her ears, until repair  was finally carried out at age thirty-six. 

 

Photos Before and After Surgery:

Case 1:    A 36 year old  with 
congenital    unfurling   of   the 
upper  ears.   Otoplasty  was 
carried  out 
in  the  Office OR Suite under local anesthesia.

Otoplasty-pre-185.jpg (7429 bytes)

Otoplasty-post-185.jpg (7559 bytes) Post-operative  photo  of  the same  patient   at   about  two years.     Note   that   the  ears now   conform to the contours of  the  face  and  scalp,   and are   no   longer   a   focus   of attention.
Related  Facial Surgery Links: To Other photo Illustrated Procedures:
Facelift and Necklift
Male Facelift and Necklift
Blepharoplasty and Brow Lift
CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing for Wrinkles
Submental Necklift and Liposuction
MicroDroplet Facial Fat Injection Contouring
Botox® Injections for Wrinkles
Collagen Injections for Wrinkles
Rhinoplasty  (Nasal Refinement)
Chin Implant  (Genioplasty)
Otoplasty  (Ear Pinning)
Non-Surgical Skin Care
Remove Facial Age Spots & Veins & Hair
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Thomas M. DeWire, Sr., MD, FACS
Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery
3974 Springfield Road
Glen Allen, VA  23060
Richmond, Virginia, USA
804-290-0200
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©Copyright 1997-2009   Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery:  Thomas M. DeWire, Sr, MD, FACS   Revised:  March 02, 2009 05:04 PM

Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery:  Thomas M. DeWire, MD, FACS, Surgery Center and Spa,  3974 Springfield Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23260, Richmond, Virginia, USA