Each of the individual features of the face, such as the nose or eyes, should be balanced. A nose that is too big or eyes that appear too small can detract from the appearance of an otherwise attractive face. However, many people may not consider the ears when it comes to properly balanced facial features. The truth is that ears that are too large, too small, misshapen, stick out, or noticeably different sizes can also affect a person's appearance. Although rhinoplasties (nose jobs) or facelifts are far more common, cosmetic surgery for the ears (otoplasty) can also produce a more balanced appearance for the facial features.

As you might expect, patients who undergo an otoplasty procedure are very sensitive about the appearance of their ears. Regardless of the reason behind the otoplasty procedure, patients are hoping for successful outcomes. Unfortunately, there may be cases in which patients are still left with ears that are out of proportion with the rest of the face. Fortunately, Dr. Paul Pin can help these patients with a revision surgery. This procedure will not only correct for the problems caused by the first surgery, but give patients the results they had wanted in the first place.

Reasons for Cosmetic Ear Surgery

Pointed ears are a common reason for undergoing cosmetic ear surgery. In other cases, the ears may be overly large (a condition known as macrotia), small, or may even be of two noticeably different sizes. The ear may also be misshapen due to either a genetic defect or as the result of an injury to the ear. Finally, the placement of the ears on the head may not be in the proper location, again, as the result of a genetic deformity.

Cosmetic Ear Surgery Procedure

If at all possible, Dr. Pin will place any incisions on the back side of the ear, so as to be less noticeable. If incisions must be created on the front of the ears, he will do so within the natural curves or folds of the ear in order to better hide their appearance and minimize scarring. Ears that are too large can be pinned back closer to the head, and elf ears are easily repaired by removing a small section of the cartilage at the pointed tip and then suturing the ear back together. Less common otoplasty procedures, such as reshaping the ear may include the use of cartilage grafts to support the ear structure.

Revision Ear Surgery Procedure

In cases where the ears have been pinned back too far, resulting in an unnatural appearance, the sutures from the original procedure can be loosened to make the ears stand out further from the head. If the appearance of elf ears still remains, more cartilage can be removed. Other procedures, in which the folds of the ears may look too tight as a result of the first surgery, can also be corrected by making incisions into the initial scars to loosen up the ear folds. However, while reshaping ear cartilage is easy in young children, it is more difficult in adults, as the cartilage is no longer soft and pliable. Because of this, Dr. Pin strongly recommends that patients wait until their ears have healed from the initial procedure, and all swelling has gone down.

Patients who undergo otoplasty want results that put the ears in balance with the rest of the face. In cases where they did not get those results, they can trust Dr. Pin to give them the look they wanted from the initial procedure.