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Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery Thomas M. DeWire, Sr., MD, FACS Specializing in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery |
Facial Rejuvenation Surgery |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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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 |
