Otoplasty

Ear correction, medically known as otoplasty can help children with protruding, prominent ears and increase their self-esteem. Children with large ears that stick out from the head are often victims of teasing from their peers, which can cause a life time of low self-confidence. Ear correction can address this by reducing the size of large ears, positioning them closer to the head. Although the procedure can be safely performed on adults, otoplasty is generally performed on children ages six to fourteen. Ear surgery can also help elderly people who have enlarged lobules (the bottom portion of the ear) achieve a more youthful looking appearance to the ears. Adult patients can also combine their otoplasty procedure with rhinoplasty (nose surgery) face lift, or BOTOX® Cosmetic procedures to attain the most optimal aesthetic enhancement. Combining cosmetic procedures also reduces recovery time by having multiple procedures performed in tandem.

Otoplasty most often employs the placement of a small incision behind the ear. Dr. Jason Leedy will sculpt the ears and, in some cases, remove cartilage to achieve the desired shape. Ear surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis under general or local anesthesia. Patients will experience some swelling and discomfort in the ears following the procedure; however, most individuals are able to return to normal routines after a week. It is important to be extremely careful not to bend the ears for at least a month after otoplasty.

Microtia Reconstruction

For children born without an ear, or with a severely misshapen ear, Dr. Leedy offers an effective procedure called microtia reconstruction. Dr. Leedy is highly trained and skilled at this unique procedure, employing autogenous ear reconstruction to reconstruct an ear using a patient’s own tissues. This technique reaches the pinnacle of plastic surgery procedures. The procedure begins with Dr. Leedy carving the shape of an ear from cartilage taken from the patient’s rib. This cartilage is used to build the new ear. This type of ear reconstruction offers a greater advantage over silicone ear implants, which are prone to complications. Individuals with misshapen ears, or those who know someone afflicted by this condition, can contact the Cleveland Plastic Surgery Institute. Our team of professionals will be happy to speak with you on the amazing possibilities of ear reconstruction.