Ear pinning is a plastic surgery procedure that can be undertaken using different techniques. The degree of correction in the patient’s ear is a factor in determining the choice of technique.

At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient about the procedure steps to help them make a judicious choice. Dr. Landon D. McLain provides ear reshaping surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Anesthesia 

Ear pinning or ear reshaping plastic surgery is a relatively less invasive procedure that requires only local anesthesia with sedation for adult patients. But in case the procedure is undertaken on a child, it will often involve the use of general anesthesia.

A qualified anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will remain in attendance throughout the procedure to oversee the patient’s response in case general anesthesia is used. The time taken to complete the procedure is typically two hours or less. 

 

Incision and Cartilage Reshaping

After the patient is under the effect of the anesthesia, the surgeon will commence the surgery by placing an incision behind the ear. The incision will be made in a hidden location to ensure that any future scarring remains discreet. The incision is made to expose the cartilage and reshape it. 

The surgeon will perform the reshaping delicately and with high precision to develop asymmetrical and proportionate ear shape. In case the ears are overly large, the procedure may involve a significant amount of cartilage elimination. The incisions may also be used to remove excess skin.

 

Ear Repositioning

In some patients, the ear may be excessively protuberant from the head. For such patients, the surgeon will reposition the ears closer to the sides of the head after reshaping the cartilage. This is called ear pinning.

It will typically combine skin removal from the back of the ear, cartilage sparing, and scoring techniques. An individualized combination of techniques will enable the surgeon to develop an appealing shape and position of the patient’s ears. 

 

Incision Closure 

The surgeon will seal the incisions with absorbable stitches or sutures once the ear reshaping procedure is complete. They will then temporarily cover the incision area with bandages. 

 

Outpatient Procedure

After the otoplasty procedure is complete, the patient will be moved to an observation area for some time. The patient may be allowed to go home as they recover from the immediate effects of the surgery and anesthesia. They should ask a responsible person to drive them back home after the procedure. 

In case the patient is a child, the surgeon often recommends an overnight hospital stay for closer observation. Adult patients may require an overnight stay only if a complication occurs or the ear reshaping is undertaken along with another procedure. 

There may be more steps involved in reconstructive ear surgeries to address congenital issues or injuries such as burns, lacerations, or torn and infected piercings. Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for ear surgery. 

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Otoplasty

A misshapen or oversized ear(s) can be a source of low self-confidence and frustration among adults as well as children. Many people have an oddly shaped or protruding ear from birth. 

However, an ear injury can also lead to a shape deformity. Ear reshaping surgery (otoplasty) is an effective and proven plastic surgery treatment to restore a beautiful and natural looking ear shape and size. 

At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will provide the patient with instructions on preparing for the otoplasty procedure. Well-prepared patients usually have higher confidence levels and can make a better decision about their ear reshaping surgery. Such patients also usually have a lesser risk of complications and a speedier recovery.

Dr. Landon D. McLain provides ear reshaping surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding communities. 

 

Tips for Preparation

Some simple steps that the patient can undertake to enable them to be well-prepared for their otoplasty procedure are as follows:

• Arrange for previous medical records from the physician, specialists, and hospital to be sent directly to the surgeon.
• Enlist any prescription and non-prescription drugs, including herbal medicines, vitamins, and supplements, which the patient currently takes.
• In case the surgeon recommends changing the schedule of certain prescription meds, arrange for them to speak to the prescribing doctor.
• Do not smoke for a specified duration as instructed by the surgeon.
• Complete any urgent household or work-related tasks ahead of the procedure to enjoy a relaxed and comfortable recovery phase. 
• Arrange for aftercare, if necessary, to help the patient during the initial two to three days of the recovery period. 
• Ask a responsible person to drive them back home after their otoplasty surgery. 

If the patient follows the surgeon’s preparation instructions in a dedicated manner, it can have a significant effect on mitigating the risks associated with the otoplasty and expediting the recovery process. 

 

Common Guidelines

The surgeon’s team may provide the patient with a printed set of common instructions to prepare for ear reshaping surgery. These guidelines may include:

• Stop the use of blood thinners, NSAIDs, and other such drugs for two weeks prior to otoplasty.
• Avoid the use of vitamin E, vitamin C, herbal supplements, and dietary pills for nearly four weeks before the procedure. 
• Restrict the consumption of alcohol and completely discontinue drinking for a minimum of 48 hours prior to the procedure. 
• Do not eat or drink anything for eight hours before the scheduled time of the surgery. 
• Take sufficient rest and get a good night’s sleep on the night before the surgery. 
• Do not wear makeup, contact lenses, nail paint, jewelry, or body piercings to the surgical facility.
• Wear a loose-fitting, front open top to the surgical venue.
• Patients who are diabetic should get their vital parameters checked on the morning of the surgery. 

Some patients may feel overly anxious a day before the surgery. For these types of patients, the surgeon may prescribe a mild sedative to be taken on the night before their ear reshaping procedure. 

 

Applying for Leave at the Workplace

Working professionals should budget for at least one week of absence from their workplace to recover from their otoplasty procedure. 

They should only perform sedentary work in the second week of their ear reshaping surgery and not undertake any tasks that put pressure on the incisions. The patient should discuss these issues at the workplace ahead of the surgery. 

Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for ear surgery. 

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.

Ear reshaping surgery (otoplasty) is relatively less invasive plastic surgery. But similar to any surgical procedure, otoplasty is also associated with certain risks. 

The decision to undergo ear reshaping surgery is a personal one, and the patient should evaluate the potential benefits and risks to make an enlightened decision.

During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient of the potential risks and safety aspects to enable them to make a judicious decision. The patient will have to sign consent forms stating that they comprehend the procedure, the alternative treatment options (if any), and the possible risks. 

In the case of small children undergoing otoplasty, their parents or guardians will have to make this decision for them. Dr. Landon D. McLain provides ear reshaping surgery to patients in Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and surrounding locations.

 

Bleeding (Hematoma)

In rare cases, the patient may experience bleeding in the wounds during the ear reshaping surgery or recovery. 

The surgeon can reduce this risk by cautiously determining any underlying health conditions of the patient and making sure that they do stop the use of blood thinners, NSAIDs and specific types of herbal supplements and vitamins for a few days prior to the procedure.

 

Blood Clotting

Another risk associated with otoplasty is the formation of blood clots. In case the patient is pre-disposed to clot formation, they will be at a higher risk. The surgeon will assess the medical records of the patient to determine such issues. On their part, the patient should volunteer all pertinent medical details for their own safety.

 

Asymmetry 

Ear reshaping surgery may be undertaken on one or both ears. There is a risk of asymmetry in either case. Both ears are never completely symmetrical or identical. However, they should appear natural. 

 

Infection

Any surgery has the inherent risk of infection. The surgical facility should have a hygienic and sterile environment. After the surgery, the patient should prevent the exposure of the incision sites to contamination. The surgeon may prescribe the patient antibiotics for some days to reduce the risk of infection after surgery. 

 

Slow Healing

In a few cases, the post-operative healing may be slow, and the wound may not heal properly. This risk is typically higher for smokers. For this reason, the surgeon will direct the patient to discontinue smoking for a specified duration before their otoplasty procedure.

 

Poor Anesthesia Reaction

In the case of children, the surgeon may undertake the procedure using general anesthesia. For adult patients, they may recommend local anesthesia and sedation. Some patients may experience a poor response to anesthesia. An anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist should oversee the patient’s response during the surgery to identify the concerns in a prompt manner. 

Other risks associated with ear reshaping surgery include skin discoloration, numbness, unwanted scarring, extended inflammation, or the possibility of revision surgery. Dr. Landon D. McLain receives patients from Huntsville, Madison, Florence, Decatur, Scottsboro, Cullman, Athens, Alabama, and nearby areas for ear surgery.

McLain Surgical Arts is a leading cosmetic surgery practice headed by Dr. Landon D. McLain MD, DMD, FACS in Huntsville, AL. Dr. McLain is a double board certified cosmetic and oral & maxillofacial surgeon, offering a variety of procedures such as dental implants, wisdom teeth extraction, breast augmentation, liposuction, rhinoplasty, tummy tuck, facelift, Botox, and laser skin resurfacing. For more information or to schedule a consultation call 256.429.3411 or click here.

Now taking patients from Huntsville, Scottsboro, Decatur, Madison, Athens, Florence, Cullman, AL and surrounding areas.