Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
Otoplastic surgery may done for the following reasons:
- To reconstruct an external ear in children who are born with a partially or completely missing auricle (the visible part of the external ear). This type of birth defect is called microtia;...
it occurs in such disorders as hemifacial microsomia and Treacher Collins syndrome. Most cases of microtia, however, involve only one ear. - To correct the appearance of protruding or prominent ears. This procedure is also known as setback otoplasty or pinback otoplasty.
- To correct major disparities in the size or shape of a patient's ears.
- To reshape deformed ears. One congenital type of deformity is known as Stahl's ear, which is characterized by a pointed upper edge produced by the flattening of the ear rim and folding of the cartilage. Stahl's deformity is also known as Vulcan ear or Spock ear because it resembles the ears of the well-known Star Trek character.
- To repair or reconstruct the auricle after traumatic injuries or cancer surgery.
Otoplasty is considered reconstructive rather than cosmetic surgery. Consequently, it is often covered by health insurance. People who are considering otoplasty for themselves or their children should check with their insurance carrier about coverage. The average surgeon's fee for an otoplasty in the United States in 2001 was $2,168.
Otoplasty is not done to correct hearing difficulties related to the structures of the middle and inner ear. Hearing problems are treated surgically by otolaryngologists (physicians who specialize in ear, nose, and throat procedures).
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People hear sound waves when the ear and associated structures convert sound energy into nerve impulses. An overview of the way in which the ear "hears" is discussed along with discussion of the two main types of hearing loss: conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.
During a setback otoplasty, an incision is made in the back of the ear, exposing cartilage (A). Permanent sutures in the cartilage pull the ear back closer to the skull (B). The incision is closed (C), and dressings are applied (D). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
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Other Information
Otoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery to change the appearance of a person's external ears. Otoplasty can take many forms, such as bringing the ears closer to the head (often called ear pinning), reducing the size of very big ears, or reshaping various bends in the cartilage. Other reconstructive procedures deal with the deformed, or abscent-microtic ears. Otoplasty surgery can involve a combination of moving, reshaping, adding, or removing structural ear elements. This procedure is usually performed by either an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, plastic surgeon, or ENT surgeon.
The pinna, or external ear, is made of a thin structural cartilage covered over with thin skin. Each of the various folds and structures of the pinna is named. Ear deformity results from distorted, damaged, or missing ear elements. Many otoplasties are performed not because of actual deformity, but because the individual is displeased with the shape of their ears.
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