Otopolasty New Jersey – Procedure Information

Plastic Surgeon New Jersey – Ear Pinning

Parker Center in Paramus, New Jersey – Overview

Ears which over-protrude from the sides of the head , and are known as “Prominent Ears”, can make children and adults self-conscious about their appearance. Surgical correction is achieved with an otoplasty, performed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Ear surgery is often performed on children at age five or six. At this age, the ears have almost fully developed allowing surgery to be safely performed. In addition, correction of Prominent Ears at this age can help eliminate the psychological trauma from teasing classmates in school. Adults with protruding ears will often seek surgical correction as well. As long as the patient is in good health, there is no upper age limit to having otoplasty performed.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, there were 26,783 otoplasties performed on men and women across the country in 2011, almost half of which (42.1%) were performed on patients 18 and under. Most of the rest (another 35.4%) were performed on patients 19–35.

Anatomy of the Ear

Ear prominence results from a deficiency of the antihelical fold, excess concha or both. Dr Parker will carefully evaluate the patient’s ears during their initial consultation with him. He will then review a treatment plan to correct a deficiency of the antihelical fold, excess concha or both.

Ear surgery often is recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. Correction of the ears prior to the child entering school helps eliminate potential psychological trauma from the teasing of classmates. Adults may also have their ears reshaped. As long as you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for this surgery.

“Thank you very much for your excellent care of K during her procedure. The pre-operative explanation and advice gave us the confidence to make the decision to move forward. We appreciated Al and Tracy attending to K before the surgery in such a kind, calm manner. Tracy is very much warm and nurturing and she helped K and me feel less anxious. Her reassurance, hugs, and sense of humor reflected her maturity as a mother. In addition, Angela removed K’s stitches with gentleness and efficiency, even stopping to ask K how she was handling the discomfort. Angela is very capable.

Thank you again.” —Parent of Otoplasty Patient

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Ear Sculpting Surgery & Recovery

An inconspicuous incision is made behind the ear, permitting Dr. Parker to sculpt the ear cartilage into a more normal configuration. Specifically, he will create an antihelical fold with sutures as well as correct the excess concha, if present.

This allows the ear to brought back closer to the side of the head in a natural way correcting theif prominent appearance. Surgery lasts roughly one and half hours and after briefly staying in our Recovery Room, the patient returns home. There is virtually no pain. All skin sutures, used to close the incisions behind the ears, dissolve by themselves and do not have to be removed. Patients can usually shower 3–4 days after the procedure and resume all normal activities within 7–10 days. Exercise can be started at 2 weeks.

Otoplasty procedures at the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery can also be combined with rhinoplasty, neck contouring, and chin implants.