Ear surgery or otoplasty is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or reduce the size of large ears. Grant Hamilton, MD, UI Facial Plastic Surgery at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, talks about otoplasty:
Who is a candidate for otoplasty?
In general, they should have ears that are somewhat misshapen and they need to be bothered by that. There are also some age requirements, because we want to make sure that the ears are close to adult size before surgery.
Are prominent ears hereditary?
Yes, it’s a little bit complicated, but about 60 percent of people who have prominent ears do have a family history of other people with them.
Is there a chance a child with prominent ears will “grow into” their ears as they get older?
No, and that’s just because the prominent ears aren’t prominent because they’re too big, they’re prominent because they’re misshapen. There’s a complicated set of curves and hills and valleys and things that make up a normal looking ear, and when those curves aren’t the right shape, it can make the ears stick out. So it’s not really a problem of the ears being too big, it’s a problem of them being the wrong shape.
What is the best age for a parent to consider this surgery for their child?
There’s a good coincidence that that by the time kids are around the age of five or six, their ears are about 85 percent adult size and that’s also about the right time for them to start becoming aware of their ears. I really don’t like to operate on children who are there just because their parents are bothered by it. Kids at age five or six are old enough to know if they’re being teased or if they feel different and things like that. So it’s a good combination of characteristics where they’re actually psychologically participating in it as well.
What does the surgery consist of?
I make an incision behind the ear in the crease, and so that it’s very well hidden afterwards. And through that incision I can reshape the cartilage without making any cuts in the cartilage. That’s an important distinction, because when you cut the cartilage to recreate that more normal looking shape, you tend to get sharp creases that show up on the front, and doesn’t look natural. I don’t cut any of the cartilage, instead I use some permanent sutures to bend the cartilage and to reshape it and from the front. It looks entirely natural.
What is the recovery time?
There are some absorbable stitches in the back and they are gone in around a week or so. I put some light compression dressing on the patients for the first week, and then I have them wear a headband for another week. I encourage them to then continue to wear that headband at night for a month or so after that. But the important part is that within a week or so, they can be out and about in public and getting back to normal activities.
Do children as young as four or five realize or recognize the difference in their appearance and are pleased with surgery?
Oh it’s amazing. One little guy in particular had some social problems and he was really bothered by kids teasung him on the school bus. I don’t know that he really understood everything that was going to happen with the surgery, but he did understand, after I demonstrated that his ears would be closer to his head, and we took the dressing off and he looked in the mirror and saw himself— his parents had even gotten him a shorter haircut right before surgery so it accentuated his ears that much more—and he looked in the mirror and turned around and just had the hugest smile and was jumping up and down. So yes, they’re really invested in it. This is not just something that the parents want, the kids really are appreciative.
If someone wanted to learn more about otoplasty, how would they get in touch with someone for more information?
Absolutely, all they need to do is call 319-356-3600. |
