Otoplasty is used to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of larger ears.

If you are self-conscious about the size or shape of your ears the experts at the state-of-the-art Duke Aesthetics Center can provide permanent results that will help build your self-esteem and leave you feeling content with your physical appearance.

Procedure Details

The most common technique requires a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. The surgeon will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head.

Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape.

Occasionally, the surgeon will remove a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.

The surgery takes two to three hours.

Recovery

You may experience pain or throbbing in the ear; this should subside in a few days.

Most patients will be up and about within a few hours.

Surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time.

Headbands will be required for the first two to six weeks to support the repair during the healing phase.

Risks

A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle.

Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected area.

Reoccurrence of the deformity may occur, requiring additional surgery.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Eapen, Rose J.
  • Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• Hollenbeck, Scott T.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery
• Levinson, Howard
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery
  • Pathology
• Woodard, Charles R.
  • Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• Zenn, Michael R.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Aesthetic Center
  3475 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705