Ears

It may not be the first feature you focus on, but the ears can make a big difference in the overall harmony and symmetry of your face. Whether they are disproportionately large, small, or protruding, they can throw the entire face out of balance. Procedures to correct ear imperfections make a big difference in your appearance and often involve less downtime than other types of plastic surgery.

Dr Teston is a seasoned plastic surgeon that performs all types of ear correction surgery. With 24 years of experience in her field, she has helped patients restore their appearance after injuries, congenital defects, and cancer treatment. She also offers ear pinning for ears that stick out from the sides of the head and ear reshaping to address a variety of aesthetic concerns.

Otoplasty for Children

Otoplasty is one of the few plastic surgery procedures that is actually recommended for younger patients. In fact, this surgery is commonly performed on children with prominent ears by the age of five or six. When a child has very large ears or ears that stick out conspicuously.

Otoplasty is relatively safe and features a quicker recovery time than many other procedures, so parents often determine the benefits of otoplasty at an earlier age far outweigh the risks associated with forgoing the surgery.

Dr Teston performs otoplasty on children in an accredited hospital using general anaesthesia. It is not unusual for children to spend one night in the hospital after surgery so they can be closely monitored in the first few hours of their recovery. Most children are able to return to their regular activities within one to two weeks.

Otoplasty for Adults

If corrections are not made to the ears during the childhood years, adults can still undergo otoplasty to change their appearance at any age. Adults may pursue ear surgery for the same reasons it is performed on children:

• Ears that stick out prominently from the sides of the head
• Ears that are disproportionately large or small compared to other facial features
• Ears that fold over on top or have other types of congenital defects

Adults may also choose otoplasty to address congenital defects that were not addressed earlier in their lives. When cancer treatment is needed for the ear, surgery may also be used to restore the treated ear to its former condition and appearance. Otoplasty does not address the inner ear structure, so it is not used to improve hearing in any way.

Otoplasty on adults is also performed in an accredited hospital, but can be done using either general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia with sedation. Adult patients may or may not have to stay in the hospital overnight. Most are able to return to their regular activities within about one week.

Correction of Congenital Defects

Protruding ears are the most common reason otoplasty is performed, but it is not the only one. Other types of congenital defects can impact the appearance of the ear, sometimes to a conspicuous degree. For example, lop or cupped ears occur when the upper rim of the ear is constricted. “Stahl’s ear” refers to an ear that is pointed on top, also known as “Vulcan” ear – named for Spock, the popular Star Trek character.

Microtia is one of the more severe types of congenital abnormalities, characterised by an outer ear that doesn’t form properly. This defect typically only affects one ear, so effort is made not only to reconstruct the outer ear, but to make it symmetrical with the other ear. A plastic surgeon may treat microtia that is purely cosmetic and does not impact hearing in that ear.

Cancer Reconstruction

Skin cancer may occur on any area of skin regularly exposed to the sun, including the outer ear. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer to appear here, and while it is not as likely to spread as other cancers, it can grow large enough to leave a deformity when it is removed. In these situations, a plastic surgeon may be needed to reconstruct the ear once the cancer is removed.

Earlobe Repair

The earlobe is an area of the ear that can be particularly vulnerable to trauma and injury. In some cases, the injury is due to an earring causing a tear in the piercing. Another common type of injury is a human or animal bite. People with gauges in their ears may also seek repair at some point for the sizable hole left behind by the gauge, whether to land a job or simply because their tastes change.

No matter what your reason for ear correction surgery might be, Dr Teston will tailor your procedure to your specific situation and the results you are hoping for. With extensive experience and knowledge in the plastic surgery field, Dr Teston is qualified to restore the appearance of your ear and make your entire facial profile more appealing. To learn more about your options for ear surgery, contact Dr Teston’s office today on (02) 9708 3511.