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ADULT AND TEEN AND PEDIATRIC EAR PIN-BACKS (OTOPLASTY) Dumbo ears, perceived as sticking out from the head too much, can be corrected or "pinned-back" with an otoplasty procedure. Children, particularly, can be saved from the cruel harassment of classmates with this simple procedure. Different techniques are utilized to give patients an ear that lies in greater line with the normal curvature of the head. The work is performed under general or local anesthesia and depending upon the patient's age or maturity. Incisions are well hidden from view behind the ear. Defects in the ear cartilage and support structures are corrected to obtain normal contouring and angling of the ear. The incisions are closed with stitches and initial healing takes place in a few weeks. A headband is worn at night for the next six to, eight weeks while internal healing and reshaping of the ear takes place. Ear Reduction Surgery The reduction of vertically large ears is an uncommon but challenging request. One cause is the aging process. As we get older the entire ear can enlarge or the earlobe only can become bigger. Sometimes we see patients who have already had their ears pinned back, but they are still very unhappy since the ears were not reduced insize and the real problem of the long large ear was not addressed. The problem is often a lack of patient-doctor communication and a real misunderstanding of the problem. An ear reduction can be very exacting to accomplish. Ear reduction is one of my most personally fulfilling procedures. Requiring a careful diagnosis to understand and achieve the patient's goals for their appearance. |