Cosmetic Surgery of the Ears (Otoplasty)

The ears are prominent features of individuals. At times, during early development, some human ears do not normally fold back alongside the head and can then protrude. While this has no functional significance as to the ability to hear, it can lead to teasing and embarrassment for those individuals so affected. Peer pressure and taunting can emotionally injure children so affected!

Otoplasty surgery is generally considered an outpatient procedure. In children this surgery will require a general anesthetic. When the patient comes home from surgery she/he will have a “head wrap” bandage in place to protect the surgical sites. With children, the child’s parents should understand that protection of the surgically altered ears is very important for the first few months following surgery and this will mean that some form of simple “headgear” will be required for that period of time.

Dr. Jellinek’s otoplasty technique involves making a surgical incision behind the ear in the crease where the ear joins to the scalp. The deformed ear cartilage is reshaped and positioned utilizing a technique initiated by Dr. Jellinek.

Dr. Jellinek has found that in children with this inborn deformity, that surgery is best delayed until about the time of entrance into school. Operating too soon is not wise, but delaying beyond the child’s entrance into the public environment of formal schooling may lead to the stigma of peer pressure and ridicule.

Interestingly, Dr. Jellinek has seen a large number of adults who also choose otoplasty surgery, having endured peer problems or self esteem concerns due to their prominent ears. There is no reason why this operation, generally reserved for children cannot be applied to adult individuals as well! In adults, the operation is generally accomplished under local anesthesia either with, or without, intravenous sedation.

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