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Otoplasty, or ear surgery, can be used to correct a variety of conditions and create more natural looking ears.

Ear surgery can help conditions including protruding ears, “lop ear,” where the tip seems to fold down and forward, “cupped ear,” which is usually a very small ear; and “shell ear,” when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles.

HOW IT WORKS

Ear surgery is performed at The Carney Center as an outpatient procedure. It usually takes about two hours. Ear surgery is performed under IV Sedation.

With one of the more common techniques, a small incision is made in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. This cartilage may be sculpted and bent back toward the head. Sometimes, a piece of the cartilage will be removed to provide a more pleasing shape. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape and a more natural looking fold.

AFTER TREATMENT

Most patients, adults and children, are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery. A patient’s head will be wrapped in a bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best molding of the ear and assist with healing. Within two days bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter headband dressing. Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week. Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so.

IS OTOPLASTY FOR YOU?

For the most part, otoplasty is performed on teens, adults and sometimes children. It can be performed at any age after the ears have reached full size, usually around five to six years of age. Conventional wisdom says the earlier the better.

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Dr Carney, Board-certified Plastic Surgeon with Offices in Virginia Beach, Newport News and Chesapeake

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