Prominent Ears can be a source of embarrassment and preoccupation. When we look in the mirror, we see both of our ears. It is the only view that allows us to compare our ears. If you have prominent ears, it is also the view that is the most bothersome. Fortunately, Otoplasty is an option if your ears stick out.
Otoplasties come in all shapes and sizes, and this is a big one. This gentleman had large ears with poorly developed antihelical folds and large anteriorly rotated conchae. An explanation of what this means is below, but in short, both these features make his ears stick out. Otoplasty rotates the ears back, reduces the conchae and forms normal antihelical folds. The result is non-prominent ears, and a very happy patient.
Otoplasty Video Presentation
Ear Pinning is the most common type of Otoplasty. Today’s video presentation is all about Otoplasty and the correction of prominent ears. In this video segment from KRON 4’s Body Beautiful, I discuss how prominent ears are corrected and narrate the Otoplasty Before and After Pictures with host Janelle Marie.
Otoplasty is tailored to each patient’s needs. Ears can be prominent for several reasons, and the treatment needs to be individualized. The Ear Pinning Before and After Pictures at the top of the page are from a patient who’s surgery required several techniques to achieve l aesthetic ears. The next few examples describe several other common variations of otoplasty.
Otoplasty – Sometimes Just the Top of the Ears Sticks Out
The ear is a complex anatomical structure. It starts as six distinct swellings and troughs that systematically develop, fold and absorb to form the final shape of the external ear. The final fold is the antihelical fold. It runs along the inside edge of the upper ear and folds the top of the ear in toward the head.
Ear pinning was used to reduce the prominence of the upper ears for this young woman.
When the antihelical fold does not form, or it is incomplete, the top of the ear sticks out. That is what happened in the case above. Both the antithetical folds are poorly formed so the tops of the ears stick out. Surgical correction includes the formation of antihelical folds, which brings the ears into normal alignment.
Otoplasty – Sometimes The Entire Ear Sticks Out
The next most common cause of prominent ears is a large and often anteriorly rotated concha. The concha is the bell of the ear which captures sound. An enlarged concha needs to be treated differently than a missing antihelical fold. The concha itself needs to be reduced and/or folded back to bring the ears in.
Otoplasty was used to bring this patient’s ears in closer to his head. The incisions are hidden in the folds behind the ears.
The patient above has a common variation of both poorly formed antihelical folds combined with large anteriorly rotated conchae. The surgical approach was a combination of forming a natural antihelical fold combined with reducing and rotating back each concha. The result is a pair of normal ears in a position that relieved my patient’s ear anxiety.
Otoplasty – Sometimes Just One Ear Sticks Out
Sometimes, only one ear is involved. If my patient is happy with one ear, which is in a “normal” position and the other ear sticks out, just the prominent ear is corrected.
Asymmetry is common with prominent ears, but this patient had a significant difference in shape and prominence with the right ear sticking out much more than the left. Ear pinning was performed to provide the patient with improved symmetry.
In this case, the patient’s right ear is remarkably asymmetrical. It sticks out far from the head, while the left ear is close to the desired position. Often both ears are operated to create better symmetry, but when the patient is happy with the less prominent ear, a matching operation is performed, as is shown in the otoplasty before and after pictures above.
Otoplasty Consultations
Call (925) 943-6353 and schedule an Otoplasty appointment for yourself, or your child, in the San Francisco Bay Area. During your consultation, your questions will be answered, and your options reviewed, so that you can make the decision whether Otoplasty is right for you. Otoplasty is not the most commonly performed cosmetic plastic surgery procedure, so be sure to consult with an experienced, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon for your ear pinning.
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