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Otoplasty / Surgery of the Ears / Ear Pinning
Cosmetic surgery of the ear, or Otoplasty, was traditionally referred to
as “ear pinning.” Today, otoplasty is usually performed on children between
4 - 14 years old (but it is not uncommon to perform this procedure on
adults). Otoplasty is an elective surgical operation performed by a plastic
surgeon to change the appearance or position of the ears. This usually
entails setting prominent ears back closer to the head or reducing the size
and/or shape of large ears.
Otoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure in Board
Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon, William M. Portnoy, MD, FACS' surgical
suite or one of the New York City hospital's that he is affiliated with Beth
Israel Medical Center, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, or St. Vincent’s
Medical Center.
The best candidates for otoplasty include:
 Adults
or children with protrusion of the ears
Ears
which have not developed or folded properly
Abnormal
shape or configuration of the ear
Otoplasty Procedure Information: In adults or in children who are mature
enough, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia. Numbing cream
can be placed behind the ears an hour before surgery and then using local
anesthetic the ears are numbed. The work can then be performed while the
patient is awake but comfortable. The most common area to be corrected is
recreating the fold in the mid to top portion of the ear. This is achieved
by placing multiple sutures within the cartilage, and underneath the skin,
which permanently hold the ear in the correct position. The procedure, as
performed by Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon William M. Portnoy, MD,
FACS typically does not involve removal of significant skin or cartilage in
order to preserve the shape of the ear and to keep it's natural appearance.
The incision is closed with a few stitches behind the ear and a dressing is
placed on the ears.
Post-Op Otoplasty: Following surgery the dressing is left on overnight and
the patient comes in the following morning to Doctor Portnoy's Manhattan
office to have the dressing changed. You may be asked to keep a head-wrap on
day and night for the first week, in an effort to maintain the ears in the
proper position during the healing process. Pain medication is prescribed if
needed. An antibiotic will be provided to help prevent any infection.
Patients may complain that it feels tight in the first few days after
surgery which is quite typical.
If you are interested in learning more about Otoplasty / Ear Pinning/ Ear
Surgery and would like to make a consultation with Board Certified Facial
Plastic Surgeon, William M. Portnoy, MD, FACS to discuss how ear surgery can
help you, please contact his Manhattan, New York City office to make a
consultation or if you prefer you may email him any question you may have. |
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Member
American
Academy of Otolaryngology
Member, American Head and Neck Society
National
Board of
Medical Examiners
Member
New York Head and Neck Society
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