Ear Surgery Information

Ear Surgery Information

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Why an Otoplasty ?

Otoplasty or Ear Surgery is a procedure that helps reduce protrusion of the ear away from the head or reshapes the ear to achieve a more pleasing contour.  Ears that “stick out” are often the source of teasing and ridicule.

Otoplasty Procedure & Results:

An Otoplasty or ear surgery area is commonly performed under general anesthesia for children and local anesthesia for adults.  The standard Otoplasty procedure brings the ears closer to the head. Otoplasty begins with an incision hidden in the crease behind the ear. This incision allows the cartilage located behind the ears to be reshaped in order to position them closer to the head. There are various surgical techniques involved in correcting irregularities other than protruding ears. These techniques can be discussed with Dr. Sullivan during the initial consultation.

Otoplasty area is done on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia.  Because safety is our first concern, Dr. Kelly Sullivan always works with board-certified Maryland anesthesiologists to ensure that your surgery is as safe as possible. Your Otoplasty surgery will be performed at an accredited Surgical Center.  The ear surgery procedure takes approximately one to two hours, depending upon the extent of surgery.  Following your Otoplasty surgery, you may recover in a medically supervised setting or in the comfort of your own home. The benefits of an ear surgery include:

- Bring proportion to the face if the ears “stick out” too much.

- Correct folded ear tips (“lop ear” or “cup ear”).

- Reshape long or offset earlobes.

- Enhance very small ears or other congenital defects.

- Remedy an accidental injury, including the loss of an ear

Recovery & Aftercare of Your Otoplasty:

Your Otoplasty surgeon Dr. Kelly Sullivan will give you written instructions for how to care for yourself after an Ear Surgery area. There’ll be such things:

After the Otoplasty surgery is completed, bandages will be wrapped around the head. This method secures the ear in place and assists with the healing process. The bandages are usually removed within a week and replaced with smaller dressings. Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery. Any discomfort is treated effectively with oral medication.

There’ll be some follow-up appointments with your plastic surgeon Dr. Kelly Sullivan, to monitor your Otoplasty surgery recovery, so be sure and keep them. With careful self-care and compliance with the plastic surgeon Dr. Kelly Sullivan’s advice, most people have a complete Ear surgery recovery and a happy outcome.

Insurance Guidelines for an Otoplasty:

An Otoplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure; therefore not covered by insurance.

**NOTE: The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for any given individual can only be determined through a consultation with Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kelly Sullivan.