219.500.5766
Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, repositions ears when they protrude too far. Patients both young and old who struggle with overly protruding or large ears may find relief in the skills of Indiana plastic surgeon Dr. David Robinson, who performs ear surgery here in Munster and Valparaiso.
The goal of ear pinning surgery is to improve the aesthetic appearance of one’s ears. Children in particular can benefit from this procedure because it can prevent or stop persistent teasing from other children.
Ear pinning surgery at our Indiana plastic surgery practice can address concerns such as:
Candidates should be healthy non-smokers who understand the risks and benefits of this procedure. Children should be at least four years old, after the ears have fully developed.
For adults undergoing this procedure, a local anesthetic with sedation will be used, while children often require a general anesthetic. The procedure requires two to three hours to complete.
When beginning, Dr. Robinson will make a small incision at the back of the ear to access the cartilage. By removing and sculpting the cartilage, the ear can be repositioned. Finally, Dr. Robinson will fold the ears back closer to the head and place sutures to close the incisions. A head bandage will then be applied, which will help maintain the new position of the ears.
After ear pinning, adults may return to work after five days or so, but children may need to miss about one week of school. Due to this, it may be advantageous to schedule otoplasty for children during a break from school, if possible.
The bandage Dr. Robinson applied post-surgery may need to be changed out over the next couple of days or replaced with a lighter dressing and the sutures will be removed after a week. Any aftercare instructions given by Dr. Robinson should be followed closely.
Possible complications of ear pinning in Indiana surgery include blood clots, infection or the formation of scar tissue. Please discuss any questions or concerns you may have with Dr. Robinson during your consultation at Indiana Plastic Surgery.
To get started, please call 219.500.5766 today. Dr. Robinson will meet with you and/or your child at our office in Munster or Valparaiso, Indiana.