Otoplasty in St. Louis

Streamline Your Look

Chesterfield Plastic Surgery provides otoplasty in St. Louis for individuals seeking alterations to their ears’ size, shape, or position. As a common ear reshaping procedure, otoplasty can create a more balanced appearance between the ears and the rest of the facial features for both adults and children.

What is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty, also known as cosmetic ear surgery, is a surgical procedure for correcting prominent ears. This condition often develops at a very young age due to differences in the amount and folding of the ear cartilage. Unfortunately, many patients with prominent ears have been teased about their appearance and may wear a particular hairstyle to try and camouflage their concerns.

During your consultation at Chesterfield Plastic Surgery, Dr. Scott Geiger or Dr. John Hulsen will assess the ears for symmetry, areas of excess tissue, and inadequate cartilage folding. Measurements and photographs will be taken for your record. .

QUICK FACTS:

Length: 2-3 hours
Anesthesia: Sedation or general
Stay: Outpatient, same day surgery
Recovery: 3-7 days
Side Effects: Asymmetry, temporary numbness, recurrence

What Otoplasty Can Achieve

Otoplasty offers several potential physical benefits by modifying the ear’s cartilage structure. The procedure can be tailored to achieve specific outcomes, including:

Correction of Protruding Ears: Many seeking otoplasty for protruding ears want to bring ears closer to the head.
Improved Symmetry: Addressing noticeable differences in the size, shape, or position between the two ears.
Reshaping Ear Structures: Correcting specific features like overly large earlobes, constricted (lop) ears, or shell ears.
Addressing Congenital or Injury-Related Deformities: Repairing or improving the appearance of ears affected by birth defects or trauma.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Ear Surgery?

Otoplasty is suitable for healthy individuals with fully developed ear cartilage, typically around age five or older. Candidacy for the procedure includes:

Adults or children with ears that protrude significantly from the head
Individuals with misshapen ears due to genetics or injury
Patients seeking revision surgery for unsatisfactory results from previous ear surgery
Those without untreated chronic ear infections or medical conditions that impair healing

A consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Geiger or Dr. Hulsen, will determine the best approach for your needs based on your goals and health history.

Preparing For Ear Correction

Smoking and all forms of nicotine should be stopped at least 2 weeks prior to surgery. This includes e-cigarettes, patches, and gum.

Any medications and supplements which cause an increased risk of bleeding should also be stopped 2 weeks prior to any major surgery. Please see our list of medications and supplements to avoid. As always, make sure to check with your doctor before stopping any medications.

Medications to Avoid

OTOPLASTY TECHNIQUE:

Our surgeons use various techniques to remove excess ear cartilage discretely and then securely fold the tissues to a more natural contour and projection. Incisions may be placed in the bowl of the ear, hidden behind the ear, or both. After the shaping is complete, a special Vaseline gauze dressing and headwrap will be placed to prevent swelling or bleeding.

This is removed in the office in three to four days, after which patients can wash their hair and shower regularly. Our surgeons recommend that patients wear a wide headband (ski band) to protect the ear at all times for the first two weeks and then at night while sleeping for six weeks.

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Recovery From Ear Correction Surgery

Patients can recover at home after surgery. Otoplasty is not overly painful, but the area will be slightly sore after the initial numbing medications wear off. Results will be immediately evident.

A postoperative headwrap will be removed in the office three to four days after surgery, at which time patients can transition to a wide elastic headband to protect the ear. Most sutures are dissolvable but may sometimes need to be removed.

Showering and washing the area can occur after being cleared by your surgeon at the first postoperative visit. Patients usually take antibiotics for five days after the surgery and are prescribed pain medications as needed.

Other than headband requirements, patients can resume light activities after one week and more strenuous activities after two weeks. They should avoid contact sports or situations where the ear may get traumatized or tugged on for at least eight weeks.

Cost of Otoplasty

The cost of otoplasty depends on the complexity of the procedure, anesthesia fees, and whether the surgery is performed on one or both ears. Since otoplasty is typically elective, it is not often covered by insurance unless it addresses reconstructive concerns caused by injury or birth defects.

Why Choose Chesterfield Plastic Surgery

Chesterfield Plastic Surgery provides personalized otoplasty services under an experienced surgical team headed by Dr. Scott Geiger and Dr. John Hulsen. Our board-certified plastic surgeon performs every ear pinning surgery using proven techniques focused on safety, precision, and patient anatomy. Whether you seek cosmetic ear surgery for yourself or your child, our practice aligns treatment with individual goals and medical considerations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Our surgeons use their keen, artistic eye and precise measurements intraoperatively to try and make the ears as symmetric as possible. Minor differences may remain, but the overall appearance should be much improved.

Ear cartilage is extremely delicate, with no other tissue like it in the body. Great care must be taken in the first eight weeks to prevent tugging or snagging of the ear, which can pull sutures out of the cartilage and damage the results. Although patients are fairly good at protecting the ears during the day, a simple sleeping adjustment can inadvertently fold the ear on a pillow, causing harm. Patients are asked to bring whatever wide headband their fashion sense desires to the first postop visit so your surgeon can make sure everything fits.

While the surgical technique is generally the same, certain factors differ by age. Once the ear cartilage is developed enough for reshaping, children can be candidates as young as age five. Addressing protruding ears early may help reduce the likelihood of social discomfort at school. For adults, otoplasty is often performed under local anesthesia and typically allows a short return-to-work period. The procedure is planned based on anatomical structure and individual goals regardless of age.

Cosmetic ear surgery improves the ear’s appearance, while reconstructive surgery corrects congenital deformities or injuries. Both may involve similar surgical techniques, but the goals of each differ based on the underlying issue.

Otoplasty offers long-term changes to ear shape and position. Once healing is complete and tissues settle, the results typically do not change unless affected by trauma.

Discomfort is expected, particularly in the first few days, but it is typically well-managed with prescribed pain medication.

Discuss Your Otoplasty Goals Now

Take the first step toward personalized ear reshaping by scheduling a consultation at Chesterfield Plastic Surgery. Talk to our board-certified plastic surgeons and discuss your options for ear surgery for adults and children.

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