Prominent ears, and other ear deformities, usually present themselves at birth. An estimated 30% of these deformities correct themselves with normal aging, but a majority will require some form of treatment for correction. There are many variations, but protruding ears is the deformity that is most frequently corrected with Otoplasty.

For the first days of life, the ears can be molded. Mother’s estrogen makes the ear’s cartilage soft, allowing a brief window of time in which to reshape the ear. According to research, treatment started within the first couple of weeks after birth can be up to 90% effective, and avoid any future need for surgery. If you do notice that your newborn has an irregular shape to their ear, mention this to your doctor and see if Ear Molding is your best option.

A common time for treatment though for Prominent Ears is between the age of 5 and 6. By this age, the ear is close to 85% of its adult size, and if it was going to correct itself spontaneously, it should have by this time. Otoplasty ,is performed  as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia with good long term results. The head is often wrapped for a week, and a head band worn for a few months overnight, which helps protect the results while the ear shape becomes set.

Otoplasty though can be performed at any age. A very common time for Otoplasty is in young adulthood. The ear re-shaping surgery is performed in much the same way as it is in childhood, though it can be performed under local with light sedation for the properly selected patient. If the idea of being awake causes anxiety, anesthesia may be the better option.

The most common reasons for a prominent ear are:

• Incomplete folding – leaving the rim sticking out
• A large central bell of the ear (concha)
• Anterior rotation of the ear

Each of these deformities can be addressed during Otoplasty. Incomplete folding can be corrected with sutures, or by scoring the cartilage. A oversized concha can be surgically reduced, and an anteriorly rotated ear can be set back. Most of these corrections are done through a small incision hidden in the fold behind the ears, so it remains hidden, even to those with short hair.

Do you remember watching Dumbo as a child? The story begins with several storks lining up to deliver the newly-born babies to various circus animals. However, Mrs. Jumbo’s baby is delivered late by a very exhausted stork. All of the other elephants were oohing and ahhing until the size of his ears were revealed. Jumbo, Jr.’s ears were huge! The circus animals started to really make fun of him and the other elephants gossiped about him and even nicknamed him “Dumbo.” Mrs. Jumbo was imprisoned as a “mad elephant” after trying to defend her son from a crowd of teasing spectators. Timothy, Dumbo’s only friend and mentor, decided to help Dumbo, but that ended up making matters worse. Dumbo is demoted to being a clown with his act involving him to fall from a platform in a dramatized fire rescue into a vat a pie filling. The audience loves it and so they move the platform much higher, 1000 feet! We all know how the story ends. Dumbo shows up to the next “fire rescue” act and with his magic feather soars over the crowd with his big ears. Dumbo the Flying Elephant becomes the star of the circus!

Let’s face reality…kids can be mean. Being made fun of can deeply affect a child, and not all children are able to become the “star of the circus.” Unfortunately, being ridiculed can be very traumatizing and shape the way a person feels about themselves, and feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem can follow a child right into adulthood.

Even though ear pinning surgery is a very popular and safe for children, more and more adults are choosing to undergo this procedure. The reason many adults wish to undergo otoplasty is because they were made fun of as children. If you were ever made fun of as a kid for having large or protruding ears, otoplasty may be just what you need and want.

Otoplasty (Ear Pinning Surgery)

Otoplasty is a relatively simple procedure performed under local anesthesia, usually taking about 45 minutes for each ear to complete. After surgery, the ears are bandaged for 24 to 48 hours. A scarf or tennis band is then used to protect the ears only at night for two months. The results of ear pinning surgery are visible immediately, but the ears may remain sensitive for a couple of months. There is rarely any significant amount of pain with this surgery, and the incisions (scars) are inconspicuously hidden behind the ears.

If you would like to learn more about otoplasty, we encourage you to call Dr. Vincent Makhlouf. Dr. Makhlouf is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and has years of experience performing different plastic surgery procedures, including ear pinning surgery.