What Is An Otoplasty?
Deformities of the external ear, or pinna, are extremely common. They may affect one ear or both ears. They take on many forms and have lots of different names such as bat ear or lop ear. They usually describe a failure of the upper portion of the ear to curl correctly in childhood, resulting in a rather prominent appearance to the ears.
As with most surgery the best way of correcting the ears is with a minimally invasive approach, leaving behind as much of the underlying cartilage as possible, and camouflaging the incisions behind the ear. The operation is called an Otoplasty.
What Is An Otoplasty?
Deformities of the external ear, or pinna, are extremely common. They may affect one ear or both ears. They take on many forms and have lots of different names such as bat ear or lop ear. They usually describe a failure of the upper portion of the ear to curl correctly in childhood, resulting in a rather prominent appearance to the ears.
As with most surgery the best way of correcting the ears is with a minimally invasive approach, leaving behind as much of the underlying cartilage as possible, and camouflaging the incisions behind the ear. The operation is called an Otoplasty.
Who Is Suitable For Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is suitable for patients with prominent ears over the age of four. As a child, otoplasty must be performed under general anaesthetic. Adults can be safely and comfortably operated on under local anaesthetic. Each person’s prominent ears are unique and require slightly different techniques to achieve aesthetically pleasing results. Mr J De Cordova can advise you of the results you can expect, and how they can be achieved, during a consultation.
Who Is Suitable For Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is suitable for patients with prominent ears over the age of four. As a child, otoplasty must be performed under general anaesthetic. Adults can be safely and comfortably operated on under local anaesthetic. Each person’s prominent ears are unique and require slightly different techniques to achieve aesthetically pleasing results. Mr J De Cordova can advise you of the results you can expect, and how they can be achieved, during a consultation.
Surgical Technique
Local anaesthetic procedures are performed in Mr Kenton-Smith’s clinic and general anaesthetic procedures are performed at St Georges Hospital or Southern Cross Hospital in Christchurch.
An incision is made behind the ear. If the ear is poorly folded, this is corrected by weakening the cartilage and reshaping the cartilage in a more aesthetically pleasing position. If the bowl of the ear, called the conchal bowl, is very deep this is also reduced.
Following surgery, your ears will be dressed in a head bandage for one week. Your ears will be checked after one week. There are no sutures to remove as they dissolve. You may have swelling and bruising of the ears which will usually have resolved within 2 weeks. You may notice numbness around the ears which may persist for several months. You may experience some discomfort and will be prescribed pain relief.
You will then need to wear a bandage (or head band) at night for three weeks.
Most people return to work after approximately ten days.
Otoplasty has an extremely high satisfaction rate.
Surgical Technique
Local anaesthetic procedures are performed in Mr Kenton-Smith’s clinic and general anaesthetic procedures are performed at St Georges Hospital or Southern Cross Hospital in Christchurch.
An incision is made behind the ear. If the ear is poorly folded, this is corrected by weakening the cartilage and reshaping the cartilage in a more aesthetically pleasing position. If the bowl of the ear, called the conchal bowl, is very deep this is also reduced.
Following surgery, your ears will be dressed in a head bandage for one week. Your ears will be checked after one week. There are no sutures to remove as they dissolve. You may have swelling and bruising of the ears which will usually have resolved within 2 weeks. You may notice numbness around the ears which may persist for several months. You may experience some discomfort and will be prescribed pain relief.
You will then need to wear a bandage (or head band) at night for three weeks.
Most people return to work after approximately ten days.
Otoplasty has an extremely high satisfaction rate.
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