Ear Surgery Specialist

What is ear surgery?

Ear surgery (otoplasty) improves the shape or alters the position of one or both ears. Abnormalities a child has at birth, as well as those arising from injury, are all correctable with ear surgery.

Ear surgery can address problems like large ears (macrotia), torn earlobes, and unsuccessful ear operations. When Dr. Koch performs ear surgery, he can rebalance the ears so they're better aligned and create a more natural shape for the ear, and can perform complete ear reconstruction where necessary.

One of the most common types of ear surgery is fixing protruding ears that stick out from the side of your head and make you feel self-conscious.

Who can have ear surgery?

Unlike many types of cosmetic surgery, ear surgery at Koch Facial Plastic Surgery is suitable for children, and it's often better to do it at a young age.

Healthy children who don't have chronic ear infections can undergo ear surgery from the age of five or as soon as the cartilage in their ear is sufficiently mature. Children should also be emotionally stable enough to have ear surgery without it causing them distress.

Adolescents and adults can undergo ear surgery as long as they have no serious health problems and don't smoke. It also helps to be sure of what you want to achieve from ear surgery and have realistic expectations of what's possible.

What does protruding ears surgery involve?

To correct protruding ears, Dr. Koch creates or increases the size of the antihelical fold — which is inside the rim of your ear — and reduces the conchal cartilage that forms the largest portion of the ear.

Dr. Koch typically makes incisions on the back of your ear, where hiding the scars is possible, but may sometimes have to cut into the front of your ear, within the folds. After reshaping the cartilage, Dr. Koch seals the wounds with non-removable internal sutures that help keep the cartilage in its new position.

You need to wear dressings that support the ear and hold it in place while it heals, and there may be a degree of swelling and bruising that should disappear in a few days. Ear surgery for protruding ears has instant results that you can see once the dressings come off.

If you or your child could benefit from Dr. Koch's experience in ear surgery, call Koch Facial Plastic Surgery today or book an appointment online.