Having big ears is no laughing matter when you’re a child – or an adult. That’s why plastic surgeons recommend having otoplasty, or ear pinning. Dt. Thomas Liszka of Ballantyne Plastic Surgery in Charlotte, North Carolina talks here about this basic operation to minimize prominent ears.
Otoplasty is when you reshape the ears due to their being especially prominent ears. Children start to get teased about having prominent ears at around five – six years of age commonly. At that age the ears are about 85% to 90% of their adult size.
We frequently do the procedure then because it is safe, and also it is before any significant teasing starts. Some people’s ears will get larger as they grow older, but basically when they are about five years old they are almost fully developed.
The operation is carried out under general anesthesia, as the child has to be asleep. Usually the procedure takes two hours. The way the surgery is done hinges on the fact that usually there are two problems. They are:
- The ear fold inside is not properly formed. It’s called the anti-helical fold and we have to recreate it.
- The concha, which is like the bowl part of the ear, is usually large and too far forward. That has to be set back.
Most children do not require any further surgery following an otoplasty. That pretty well takes care of the problem at a young age, and rarely do we see an adult for any revision.
However, we do see adults who have large ears and never had otoplasty as a child. The difference is that the cartilage is a little stiffer and harder to fold. Because of that, it tends to be more painful.
I would recommend otoplasty if your child has prominent ears. A lot of it depends on the child, but most kids when they get to second or third grade start to get teased if their ears are overly prominent. It can become a significant psychological issue with them.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
