Otoplasty is surgery done on the external ear. It can be cosmetic or reconstructive. People can get otoplasty to change the size, shape or position of their ears, or they can have it done to repair an injury or birth defect. Both adults and children can undergo ear surgery, but many don’t know the differences between otoplasty and a procedure known as earlobe repair.

What is Ear Pinning?

Ear pinning, which is sometimes confusingly called otoplasty, is a procedure done to reposition overly prominent ears so they lie closer to the head. Most patients are children; however, adults can get the procedure done as well.

Ear pinning is an outpatient procedure, during which the surgeon may remove any excess cartilage and skin. After completing the surgery, we can use a compression dressing to keep the ears in their new locations.

What is Earlobe Repair?

Earlobe repair describes a type of otoplasty done to correct torn earlobes. Earlobes are often torn through injury or overly heavy earrings. A type of body modification called gauging can also cause torn earlobes. In gauging, the client uses tapers or plugs of increasing widths to stretch their earlobes. In some cases, people who have undergone gauging decide to have their earlobes restored to their original condition.

Earlobe repair is an outpatient procedure as well. If the doctor is treating a fresh injury, he may be able to simply put the earlobe back together using specialized techniques. Older injuries require a bit more work, as does restoring an elongated earlobe to its original size and shape. In such cases, the surgeon may have to remove some soft tissue and use it to reconstruct the ear. The procedure is entirely customized based on the patient’s wants and needs.

What is Ear Reduction?

Ear reduction is a type of otoplasty done to make the ears smaller and more proportionate. Some people have a deformity called macrotia in which the ears are significantly larger than what is considered to be normal. In ear reduction surgery, the doctor can remove excess cartilage and skin. He can work on the whole ear, the top half, or the bottom half. Again, it all depends on the unique case.

Whether you are interested in earlobe repair or some other type of otoplasty procedure, make sure to consult with us at Smith Facial Plastics in Gahanna. Contact us today to book your appointment and learn more about your options!