Otoplasty (Ear Re-Shaping)

Otoplasty (Ear Re-shaping), or ear surgery, is a surgical procedure performed to correct large or protruding ears for a more proportionate appearance. Unlike most other plastic surgery procedures, otoplasty (ear re-shaping) is often performed on children, as the ears are typically finished growing by the age of five.

Early treatment helps reduce teasing and any affect on self-esteem that large or mis-shapen ears may cause. Otoplasty (Ear Re-shaping) may also be performed to correct ears damaged by an accident or injury.

Ear changing (but not necessarily otoplasty), earlobe repair, earlobe reduction, gauge closure, and other post-traumatic injuries are also amenable to surgical repair. 

Stretched or torn earlobes are very common and very easy to repair. Split earlobes usually occur from an accidental pulling on an earring, chronic pulling by heavy earrings, sleeping in earrings, poor placement of piercing or the use of gauges in the ears. A small amount of damaged tissue around the tear is removed to allow for the best repair. Sutures are removed after five – seven days. You may notice a fine linear scar at the surgical site. Over time the pinkness will fade. Re-piercing of the ear can occur 6-8 weeks later. It is recommended to use at least a 14kt gold post earring. The new piercing is not placed in the same exact location because the skin/tissue is weaker and will not be able to support it. It is usually pierced right above or below for the best outcome.

Earlobe reduction is designed to remove excess skin and tissue of earlobes that have become wide or elongated. The excess skin is removed and sutured leaving only a faint scar in the back of the earlobe, thus allowing for the aesthetic reshaping and ear rejuvenation. The technique used will depend on your ear’s current shape and the result you wish to achieve.