ear surgery

Otoplasty, otherwise known as ear pinning, is performed to correct prominent ears usually in childhood but also in adults. Ears are fully grown by four years of age. Surgery is performed soon after this age to prevent the teasing and ridicule the child may endure at school. It is also often performed on adults. The surgery involves creating an incision behind the ear, lifting the skin off the cartilage, and placing permanent sutures to reshape the cartilage and to hold the ears closer to the head.

The Consult
At this visit, Dr. Farahmand will evaluate your ears to determine if you are a candidate for otoplasty surgery. She will explain the technical aspects of the surgery, the risks involved, and the recovery.

The Pre – operative Appointment
At this visit, Dr. Farahmand will explain all of your pre-operative and post-operative instructions. Photographs will be taken. You will be able to ask any questions about the procedure.

The Surgery
On the day of surgery, you will meet the anesthesiologist. The procedure can be performed under straight local anesthesia or with sedation. An incision is made on the back of the ear. The skin is separated from the underlying cartilage. A small hole is made in the cartilage to allow a small instrument called an otobrader to pass through to the front surface of the cartilage underneath the skin. The front surface of the cartilage is scraped with the otobrader . This weakens the cartilage, making it easier to bend. Then Dr. Farahmand places permanent sutures through the cartilage that will hold its new shape. Another stitch is placed to “pin” the ear cartilage to the scalp.” The skin is then redraped and closed. Then a compression dressing is applied.

After the surgery, the patient is instructed to wear a headband to take tension off of the sutures. They are instructed to avoid contact sports. Pain is controlled by oral medications.

“Thank you so much for your time and your professionalism during our appointment on Tuesday. I enjoyed meeting you and your staff and appreciated all the information you provided regarding my questions about breast reduction surgery. It is a very personal decision, one that requires a great deal of thought. However, if I decided to proceed, you would be my choice for a surgeon. You made me feel very comfortable, as did your staff. ”
— Miss C