Otoplasty Dallas, Texas - Ear Pinning Procedure

• Who is a good candidate for cosmetic ear surgery
• Are there safety concerns associated with cosmetic ear surgery?
• Planning for otoplasty surgery
• Where the surgery will be performed
• Types of anesthesia
• The surgery
• Otoplasty recovery
• Other cosmetic ear issues
• Otoplasty results
• Choosing a plastic surgeon
• Make sure your surgeon is board certified
• Ask about the surgeon's hospital privileges

Who is a good candidate for cosmetic ear surgery

Most patients undergo otoplasty, or cosmetic ear surgery, to reduce the size of large ears or have prominent ears "pinned back" closer to the head.

Most otoplasty procedures are performed on children between 5 and 14-years-of-age. Generally our ears are nearly fully developed by the age of five, allowing for the surgery to be performed. Since school-yard teasing and ridicule can negatively impact a child's self-esteem, many parents seek-out otoplasty for their children at an early age. Of course, ear surgery can be performed to reshape adult ears as well, to increase self-esteem and improve appearance.

Though basic otoplasty information is provided on this website, the best way to get answers to specific questions about you or your child's needs is to schedule a personal consultation with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. For individuals considering a cosmetic ear surgery in Dallas, plastic surgeon Dr. White is ABPS certified and will gladly address any questions and concerns you may have during consultation.

Are there safety concerns associated with cosmetic ear surgery?

Though thousands of children and adults undergo otoplasty each year and experience no major complications, the procedure does carry some degree risk. It is important you be well informed of these risks when considering surgery. Dallas cosmetic surgeon Dr. White sees the discussion of potential risks and complications as one of the most important aspects of patient consultation. During your consultation, he will discuss these potential complications with you, listen to your safety questions, and offer instructions on how to minimize the risk.

Potential complications include blood clotting on the ear in a small percentage of patients. If these clots don't dissolve naturally, they can be drawn out with a needle. Infection in the ear cartilage is also a rare risk with otoplasty. In some cases, this can cause unwanted scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; though rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected area.

Planning for otoplasty surgery

Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the otoplasty procedure tend to be more cooperative during surgery and happier with the results. Parents should not insist their child undergo otoplasty.

In the initial consultation with Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. White, he will evaluate you or your child's ear structure, depending on who's undergoing the procedure, and recommend a treatment plan. He will also offer instructions on how to prepare for surgery.

Where the surgery will be performed

For your comfort and convenience, Dr. White maintains privileges in several hospitals in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. Cosmetic ear surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return home the day of surgery. In occasional instances, however, it may require a short, one-night hospital stay.

Types of anesthesia

Dr. White typically prefers general anesthesia in order to allow ample time to get the most natural result. In selected cases, however, a local anesthesia combined with a sedative is sufficient. In these instances, the patient will be awake but relaxed throughout the procedure.

The surgery

Cosmetic ear surgery takes about four to six hours to achieve the most natural result when re-shaping both ears. Complicated procedures sometimes may take longer. The duration of the surgery and the surgical technique used will depend on the issues being addressed.

The procedure uses a small incision in the natural fold behind the ear. The ear cartilage will be exposed, sculpted and folded back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to secure the cartilage into position. In rare cases, cartilage is removed to improve shape but in most cases Dr. White sculpts the ear and re-shapes the cartilages without removing cartilage. To ensure symmetry and balance, surgery is typically performed on both ears, even when only one appears to protrude.

A faint scar in the back of the ear should be expected after surgery, though it will eventually fade with time.

Otoplasty recovery

Patients are generally up and around within a few hours of the procedure and allowed to return home soon after. In cases where general anesthesia is used on a child, however, some parents prefer an overnight hospital stay.

You should expect the patient's head to be wrapped in a bandage immediately after surgery. This is to promote molding and healing of the ears and should be worn for 2-3 days. Eventually the bandage will be replaced by a less-bulky dressing, similar to a headband. It is important the dressing be worn as directed by Dr. White.

Some throbbing or aching should be expected for the first few days. This pain is generally minimal and well-controlled with medication.

Stitches are usually removed in about a week or dissolve on their own.

Adults typically return to work about five days after surgery. Most children can return to school after seven days or so. Children need to be careful about playground activity, however. The ears will need to be protected from bending and pressure for the first six months.

Other cosmetic ear issues

Though protruding ears is the issue most seek otoplasty to correct, there are a variety of other cosmetic ear issues that can be addressed with plastic surgery as well. These issues include:

• Cupped ear: a disproportionately small ear
• Lop ear: where the ear tip folds downward
• Shell ear: where the folds, creases and outer rim of the ear is missing
• Earlobe issues: disproportionately large or stretched earlobes, or earlobes with wrinkles or creases

In some instances, entire ears can be constructed for those without them due to birth defect or trauma.

In these instances, careful consultation with your plastic surgeon is essential. Some cosmetic ear surgeries can leave noticeable scarring. The pros and cons of individual ear surgeries should be carefully discussed and weighed before proceeding.

Otoplasty results

After healing, many patients experience an increased level of comfort with their overall appearance. Though most patients are very happy with their results, those expecting perfection rather than improvement are often disappointed. Expectations such as perfectly symmetrical ears are not realistic. If you've discussed the procedure and your expectations with your surgeon before the operation, chances are, you'll be quite pleased with the result. For Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. Steven White, careful pre-op consultation is key to successful results.

Choosing a plastic surgeon

When considering undergoing cosmetic surgery, Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. White believes choosing a qualified surgeon to perform it is one of the most important factors. Though it's hard to believe, not all physicians who perform cosmetic surgery have had formal surgical training. It's important to research the credentials of all surgeons you consider for your procedure. Dr. White is fully trained in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery as well as Otolaryngology (head and neck surgery). He invites potential patients to fully explore his training, experience online or during a personal consultation.

Make sure your surgeon is board certified

Find out if your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Surgeons with this certification have completed a minimum of five years of surgical training following medical school, including a plastic surgery residency program. During this intensive program, surgeons learn to perform surgical procedures for the entire body and face. At the same time, they develop their technical skill and aesthetic judgment. After training, a surgeon must pass comprehensive oral and written exams before being granted certification.

Both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery require their members to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Plastic surgeons with this certification have completed approved training and examinations in plastic surgery including both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.

Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. White is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery as well as the American Board of Otolaryngology / Head and Neck Surgery. He is one of the few plastic surgeons in the United States certified by both of these boards.

Ask about the surgeon's hospital privileges

It is very important to find out if your surgeon has operating privileges in an accredited hospital for the procedure you are considering, even if you are planning to undergo surgery in your doctor's office or at a surgery center. Before granting privileges, hospital review committees evaluate a surgeon's training and competency for specific procedures.

Dr. White maintains surgical privileges at several area hospitals in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

To find out more, click on Making Sense of Certification.

Click here for Otoplasty Patient Comments

For more information on cosmetic eyelid surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dallas plastic surgeon Dr. White, call 214.696.6676 or contact us online at usaplasticsurgery.com.

       

STEVEN J WHITE, MD
PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL OF DALLAS
TEXAS HEALTH PRESBYTERIAN DALLAS
PROFESSIONAL BUILDING 3, SUITE 814
8230 WALNUT HILL, DALLAS, TX 75231-4485

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