Ear Correction
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA
Ear correction or otoplasty is a procedure that serves to improve deformities, irregularities, or asymmetricality of the ears for a more pleasing aesthetic appearance. (1) During this surgery, the incision is kept hidden behind the ear, within the crease located at the junction of the ear and scalp. The incision heals very well, often without a perceptible scar.
Dr. Mossi Salibian is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in ear correction procedures. Please call our office near Beverly Hills at (310) 550-0750 to schedule an appointment where you can meet with Dr. Salibian and discuss your options for ear correction. You can also fill out our contact form.
Contents
- 1 Before and After Photos
- 2 About Ear Correction
- 3 Cost of Ear Correction in Los Angeles
- 4 FAQ
- 4.1 When can someone receive ear correction surgery?
- 4.2 How long does an ear correction procedure take?
- 4.3 How long does it take for the ears to recover from ear correction surgery?
- 4.4 How can a surgeon reshape the ear?
- 4.5 Can keloids be removed from the ear?
- 4.6 How can I fix stretched earlobes?
- 4.7 Is otoplasty painful?
- 5 References
Before and After Photos
About Ear Correction
“Ear Pinning” (Otoplasty)
Otoplasty, or “ear pinning” is a surgical procedure during which Dr. Salibian can reposition, reshape, or resize one or both of the ears. It is often used to correct protuberant ears, where the ears are flared outward away from the scalp. (1) Around 5% of the population has this issue, and it can be very bothersome to experience. (2) When patients are young, they may be teased by their peers for this feature that makes them stand out. Because the cartilage of the ear is about 90% formed when a child is around 5 or 6 years old, it is appropriate to carry out an otoplasty at an early age. However, the procedure can be done at any time during one’s lifetime.
Dr. Salibian carries out otoplasties by placing supportive sutures in such a way that creates a natural looking fold along the inside of the ear and sets back the prominence of the ear. Ear pinning leaves patients with regular appearing ears that do not attract attention as the prominence is corrected and the ears appear more balanced and closer to the head. The procedure generally takes between two to three hours:
- Incision Creation: Small incisions are made behind the natural fold of the ear.
- Cartilage Reshaping: Permanent special sutures are used to reshape the flattened ear cartilage or to enhance the existing shallow fold. Sutures are also placed to reposition and set back the ears.
- Closure: Incisions are neatly closed, minimizing visible scars.
Macrotia Treatment
Macrotia is another term for large, oversized ears. It is a condition that is usually present from the time of birth. Dr. Salibian can address this issue surgically, by performing a similar procedure to an otoplasty that is focused on the ear’s upper areas. In this way, Dr. Salibian will make the scapha; the crescent-shaped part of the ear, inside the outer curve, smaller. This size reduction will cause the ears to appear smaller. (3)
Keloid Removal
Ear keloids are raised scar tissue that can occur when the patient’s body reacts to a wound. (4) Oftentimes, this appears prominent after an improperly healed ear piercing. While keloids present a mostly aesthetic issue for patients, they can also be painful and itchy, or even create an uncomfortable burning sensation. (4) Dr. Salibian can surgically remove ear keloids to restore the natural appearance of the ear. Because a keloid can grow back after it is removed, surgical keloid removal may not be a permanent solution, and to reduce recurrence patients are often followed up with low-dose radiation treatment to the ear.
Stretched/Gauged Ear Repair
Gauging or earlobe stretching is when people gradually increase the size of their ear piercing, to the point where the skin sags excessively when the jewelry is not in place. Some patients who seek out ear correction surgery have gauged their earlobes in the past, and now seek a way to restore their ears back to anatomic normalcy. Dr. Salibian can resize the earlobe by excising the excess skin and reducing the size and shape of the earlobe back to its normal appearance. (5)
Cost of Ear Correction in Los Angeles
The cost of ear correction surgery in Los Angeles varies. It depends on what kind of condition is being treated; prices may range from $4000 – $9000. To receive a personalized quote, call our Los Angeles office at (310) 550-0750 or fill out our contact form to request a consultation.
FAQ
When can someone receive ear correction surgery?
Candidates range from children over five or six years old to adults.
How long does an ear correction procedure take?
The length of an ear correction procedure is usually around 2-3 hours.
How long does it take for the ears to recover from ear correction surgery?
Most people will recover from their ear correction procedure in 2-3 weeks.
How can a surgeon reshape the ear?
Dr. Salibian can reshape the ear by using supportive sutures strategically placed that restructure the ear.
Can keloids be removed from the ear?
Yes, keloids can be surgically removed to restore the ear to its natural appearance.
How can I fix stretched earlobes?
Dr. Salibian can address stretched or gauged earlobes by removing the stretched skin and reconstructing the ear lobe back to its natural appearance.
Is otoplasty painful?
Pain is easily controlled by oral medications and subsides within a few days. After surgery, you will have a special protective dressing like earmuffs surrounding the ears to protect the repair and decrease discomfort when reclined or sleeping.
References
- Kennedy KL, Katrib Z. Otoplasty. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538320/
- Kajosaari L, Pennanen J, Klockars T. Otoplasty for prominent ears – demographics and surgical timing in different populations. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2017;100:52-56. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.06.014
- Hinderer UT, Juan, Fregenal FJ. Macrotia. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 1987;11(1):81-85. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/bf01575491
- McGinty S, Siddiqui WJ. Keloid. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507899/
- Scott BL, Anderson Y, Loyo M, Kim MP. Repair of Gauged Earlobes: Case Series and Review of Two Techniques According to Size. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. 2021;14(3):351-356. doi:https://doi.org/10.4103/jcas.jcas_116_20