How Otoplasty (Ear reshaping) is done

Otoplasty is generally carried out through incisions, which are concealed behind the ear. As the ear is usually being pinned back it means that the new position of the ears covers over the scars. Usually the scars heal very well and are hard to see. It can be done under local or general anaesthetic.

The skin incision is marked behind the ear. Some excess skin and soft tissues are removed from behind the ear. Removal of excess cartilage, sculpting the cartilage and the use of permanent sutures to hold the cartilage in its new desirable position provides long-term strength. These permanent sutures are placed to provide a natural curved contour to the ear. As the ear folds back, the excessive skin is trimmed away.

Some surgeons will cut through the cartilage of the ear completely. This does risk leaving a sharp edge, and is a technique Mr Golchin prefers to avoid.

On occasion, earlobe reduction surgery can also be carried out and the earlobe can also be pinned back using stitches.

In every case of otoplasty there will always be some asymmetry between the two ears as healing is variable. Differences in the ears are far more concerning when the ears are protruding. Once the ears have been pinned back very slight differences between the 2 ears are no longer important as the ears are not really obvious any more.

At the completion of the surgery the skin incision is stitched and the ears have a dressing. Dissolving sutures are usually used to close the incisions so that they don’t need to be removed.

RISKS OF EAR RESHAPING SURGERY

As with any operation, the otoplasty has minimal risks and potential complications. However, with highly trained doctors and nurses making up the surgical team, complications are extremely rare. Like all surgeries, the risk of bleeding, infection, scarring or an anaesthetic problem is present.

The commonest problem in otoplasty would be a change in the ear position within the first six months in about 5% of cases. Sometimes it does require follow up surgery to retighten the ears.

Extrusion of stitching is not rare. Sometimes the patient does not tolerate a deep stitch, which may protrude out the back of the ear and needs to be trimmed. In most cases this is done in the consulting rooms and the area heals up well and usually it has no consequence. This is due to the scar tissue reaction that actually helps to hold the ear into position.

Every patient must know that asymmetry is an inevitable consequence of every otoplasty no matter how carefully the surgery is conducted. This is due to underlying asymmetries between the two ears and very slight differences in healing.
Pinning the ears back too far is extremely rare but can be reversed to some extent if it occurs.