Enhance the Look of Your Child’s Ears with Otoplasty
Dr. Anya Kishinevsky can perform carefully customized otoplasty at her Darien, CT, cosmetic surgery practice. Through otoplasty, she can reshape or resize patients’ ears. This procedure is commonly performed on children, since they can feel self-conscious about their large or protruding ears, using hats or their hair to conceal them. If your child is going to undergo otoplasty, Dr. Kishinevsky will conduct a comprehensive consultation that includes both you and your child. She will discuss what you can expect from the treatment, and will explain everything in a way that your child can understand.
Otoplasty
For children and adults with prominent ears or ear deformity, we can perform otoplasty (cosmetic ear surgery). Dr. Kishinevsky can position the ears closer to the head while hiding scars behind the ear. In working with many young children throughout the years, she has gained the knowledge and experience to make the entire process, including the surgery and recovery, as comfortable as possible.
Is My Child a Candidate for Otoplasty?
Your child may be a candidate for otoplasty if they struggle with any of the following concerns:
- Disproportionately large ears
- Unusually shaped ears
- Pointed ears
- Ears that stick out from the side of the head
Dr. Kishinevsky will usually wait until your child is about five years old before performing otoplasty surgery, since cartilage growth has stabilized by this time. In addition, for your child to undergo cosmetic ear surgery, they must be in good overall health. During your personalized consultation, Dr. Kishinevsky can review all additional candidacy requirements and preparation procedures. Teenagers and adults can also benefit from cosmetic ear surgery. Again, patients must be healthy and have the ability to heal properly after their procedure.
Dr. Kishinevsky typically waits until children are five years old to perform otoplasty surgery.
The Otoplasty Procedure
Your child will typically receive general anesthesia the day of their otoplasty surgery. Dr. Kishinevsky will then create an incision behind your child’s ear, through which she will remove the excess cartilage. She may also reshape the tissue to make the ear more proportionate.
Next, she will remove any excess skin and close the incisions with small stitches. Dr. Kishinevsky can address one ear, or she can perform bilateral otoplasty, enhancing both ears at the same time.
If your child has protruding ears, Dr. Kishinevsky will perform ear pining, either alone or in conjunction with tissue removal. After creating the incisions, she will use small sutures to pull the ears closer to the side of your child’s head.
Recovery from Cosmetic Ear Surgery
Otoplasty is a simple procedure. Therefore, recovery time should be minimal. Your child will need to take about one week off from school. Immediately following otoplasty, your child may experience swelling or discomfort. Mild anti-inflammatory medications can reduce irritation.
A full recovery usually takes about six weeks. At this time, your child will enjoy an improved appearance and greater sense of confidence that will carry them into adolescence and adulthood.
Your child will need to wear bandages for about one week after surgery. In addition, for several weeks, they should avoid strenuous physical exertion, especially sports and other activities that could involve the ears. Finally, a special headband will be provided, to help the ears maintain their new shape.
A full otoplasty recovery usually takes about six weeks. At this time, your child will enjoy an improved appearance and greater sense of confidence that will carry them into adolescence and adulthood.
Learn More About Otoplasty Today
To find out if otoplasty is a suitable option for your child, contact Dr. Kishinevsky’s practice today. We will be happy to meet with you and your child to review the procedure and recovery details.
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