Otoplasty, ear reshaping, or ear pinning is a solution for patients of all ages struggling with protruding, or oversized, ears. Larger, or “outstanding,” ears may cause children and adults to become very self-conscious about their facial appearance. Larger ears may attract unwanted attention or distract from the natural beauty of one’s face. Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon Sanjay Keni pins back or reshapes the ears for an attractive look, always keeping a patient’s long-term hearing mind.
Who is a Candidate for Ear Reshaping or Otoplasty?
Healthy men, women, and children who are seeking improvement to the appearance of their ears are excellent candidates for ear reshaping, or otoplasty. Surgery may be performed on any patient over the age of 5. Ideal patients are in good overall health and have realistic expectations of what this surgery can accomplish. An experienced otoplastic surgeon like Dr. Sanjay Keni always places patient safety first and carefully screens patients to determine their candidacy. Dr. Keni will recommend the best course of treatment to reduce the risk of complications while delivering the best aesthetic results.
What is the Recovery like from Ear Pinning or Otoplasty?
Ear pinning, or otoplasty, may be performed with moderate sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s preference and age. When performed on very young children ear reconstruction may be carried out in a hospital setting. For those patients who need a small correction, the treatment may be performed on location at Keni Plastic Surgery under local anesthesia.
Dr. Keni is experienced in a wide array of ear reshaping techniques. During ear pinning surgery Dr. Keni makes a small incision on the back of the ear to expose the cartilage. He then repositions the cartilage closer to the head in a more appealing position. Any excess cartilage is removed. Scarring is minimal and the sutures are securely hidden underneath the skin.