Otoplasty is commonly performed to correct prominently “outset” or misshapen ears. This surgery is often done during childhood because of the impact on the child’s self esteem and personality due to significant teasing by their peers. Nonetheless, many adults also elect to have this surgery after years of hiding their ears with various hairstyles, etc. The results are very satisfying and often the patient’s outlook and self-perception will change dramatically after the operation. In fact, in adults this positive emotional impact is often even more pronounced than in children – with the elimination of any associated stigma they have been concerned about for much of their lives. |
|
Procedure Information
Except in children (under 8 years of age general anesthesia is always used), Dr. Macdonald most commonly performs otoplasty under monitored Intravenous (IV) Sedation, also referred to as “Twilight Sleep Anesthesia”, at a private surgery center in San Francisco. The patient benefits of this method versus general anesthesia are further described in the section entitled Patient Care Philosophy. The patient experiences no pain during the surgery and remembers very little from the time the IV is started. Otoplasty surgery usually takes 1 ½- 2 hours.
All incisions are placed behind the ear in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head so there are no visible scars after the operation. Dr. Macdonald will remove the necessary amounts of skin and soft tissue required to bring the shape and position of the ear into natural proportion with the head. The cartilage may need to be recontoured or shaped to create or strengthen the normal folds of the ear. At the end of the operation, a pressure dressing is applied.
Recovery Information
Normal nonstrenuous activity may be resumed 2 days after surgery. Soft pressure dressings and/or a headband are worn for 7-10 days following the surgery to hold the ears in their new position during the initial healing period. A sports-type headband is worn while sleeping for 4-8 weeks post-operatively. The patient should refrain from bending over (with the head below the heart) or sleeping on his/her side for the first 3 weeks.
There is almost no discomfort at all post-operatively as the ears will often feel numb for 2-3 months following surgery, with sensation slowly returning during that time. The incisional scar is unnoticeable, well hidden in the normal crease behind the ear. Otoplasty is one of Dr. Macdonald’s favorite surgeries to perform on either children or adults because of the significant impact this surgery has on his patients’ overall outlook on life and positive feeling of self-esteem
Please call or contact us online at any time to further discuss your questions about otoplasty surgery. Or, visit our cosmetic surgery offices in the Union Square district of San Francisco, California. Our offices are conveniently located for easy accessibility from the entire San Francisco Bay area.
View our other surgical procedures:
|
