Otoplasty Ear Surgery in Chester NJ
Otoplasty (historically called “ear pinning”) is a procedure to change the shape or size of the ears. The most common reason for people to choose otoplasty is if they are bothered by ears that stick out too far from their head or if ears are misshapen due to injury or birth defects. The surgery can be performed at any age after the ears have reached near full size, typically around age 5 or older.
During otoplasty, a plastic surgeon customizes the surgical plan based on the patient’s needs. Incisions are usually made behind the ears to sculpt the cartilage, reposition the ears closer to the head, or reduce their size. While the risks include bleeding, infection, and anesthesia reactions, most scars remain hidden behind the ears and/or within natural ear creases.
While Otoplasty won’t affect hearing ability, studies show otoplasty can have an impressive effect on confidence and self-esteem, particularly in children or young adults.[1] If you or your family member is interested in an Otoplasty procedure, come seek an opinion from the plastic surgery team and Urban Facial Plastics.
*Importantly, for children born with prominent or misshapen ears, immediate splinting may permanently correct the issue without any surgery or procedure. This is called ear molding. Ear molding is much more effective if it begins within 3 weeks of life, since maternal hormones make the child’s ears more moldable. Urban Facial Plastics performs on-demand ear splinting for newborns. Please reach out to our team if you believe your child may be a candidate.
Papadopulos NA, Niehaus R, Keller E, Henrich G, Papadopoulos ON, Staudenmaier R, Kovacs L, Peter Herschbach, Pototschnig H, Machens HG. The Psychologic and Psychosocial Impact of Otoplasty on Children and Adults. J Craniofac Surg. 2015 Nov;26(8):2309-14. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000001990. PMID: 26491919.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Each individual experience will vary. Please call or schedule a consultation for a personalized evaluation.