What Is Ear Pinning Surgery?
Otoplasty, or in layman's terms ear pinning surgery
, is one of the more common plastic surgery procedures available. Many people aren't even aware how common the surgery is because it's one of the few procedures frequently performed on children. In fact, patients as young as five years old have had otoplasty.
Who is a candidate for otoplasty?
The usual recipients of ear pinning surgery are people whose ears are naturally large and protruding. For children, prominent ears can mean a lifetime of bullying. Young people can be very cruel to peers who don't fit in with what they consider "normal," after all.
Since ear cartilage is usually fully-formed around the age of five or so, plastic surgeons are able to perform otoplasty on very young patients without risking later issues related to growth. For this reason, many parents choose to save their children the embarrassment of protruding ears by having them undergo ear pinning surgery at a very young age.
Since otoplasty is an elective procedure, you will also find adults having their ears pinned for reasons related to both self-esteem and, in some cases, career advancement.
How does ear pinning surgery work?
The otoplasty procedure itself is very simple, which results in a high level of effectiveness. It requires only a couple of small incisions on the backs of the ears.
These incisions are placed at the point where the ear meets the head. This location is not only accessible and minimally invasive, but also excellent for hiding scarring. Since there is a deep existing crease there, once the patient is fully healed, no one should ever be able to notice the scars.
After creating the incisions, the plastic surgeon needs only to remove excess skin and cartilage, which pulls the ears back toward the head. After that, sutures are applied and the recovery process begins.
Ear pinning is a very straightforward surgery with minimal risks, which explains why so many parents are comfortable sending their young children in for plastic surgery for protruding ears.
What's otoplasty recovery like?
Ear pinning, like any plastic surgery procedure, requires recovery time. Patients must be prepared to change bandages, keep sutures clean and avoid any activities that could put pressure on the ears while the surgical site heals and the body adjusts to the new cartilage shape.
There is also visible bruising and swelling around the area for up to a week. For this reason, adults who undergo ear pinning often choose to take vacation time from work, while parents seeking otoplasty for their children frequently schedule the procedure during a summer break from school so that the change is not obvious to classmates.
Considering ear pinning surgery?
If you are considering ear pinning surgery for yourself or your child, do your research. Make sure you find a qualified, experienced, board certified plastic surgeon. Ask to see before and after photos and request access to patient recommendations.
Once you find the right plastic surgeon, be sure to follow all medical instructions to the letter. Doing so will help insure that you get the best possible results from ear pinning surgery.
by: Anne Nolan
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