Otoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery to change the appearance of a person’s external ears.
Otoplasty can take many forms,
The pinna, or external ear, is made of a thin structural cartilage covered over with thin skin. Each of the various folds and structures of the pinna is named. Ear deformity results from distorted, damaged, or missing ear elements. Many otoplasties are performed not because of actual deformity, but because the individual is displeased with the shape of their ears.
Otoplasty surgery procedure is usually performed by either an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, plastic surgeon, or ENT surgeon.
The procedure can be performed under local or general anesthetic and can take up to 2-3 hours. The surgeon will make a small incision behind the ear; excess skin and cartilage are then removed and the incision is stitched closed. Another method involves creating a small incision in the back of the ear, removing some skin and using stitches to bend or ‘pin’ the cartilage back towards the head, but not removing the cartilage itself. The incision is then sewn up.
