Otoplasty & Protruding Ears
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)
Ear surgery (otoplasty) is a type of facial cosmetic surgery performed on the ear to adjust the shape, position or proportion of the ear. Otoplasty is usually performed on larger ears to adjust their shape and size or set them closer to the head. This procedure can correct defects present at birth or treat injured ears. It also can be performed to perform scar removal. It may be beneficial to have ear surgery performed at a younger age before the patient is subject to ridicule or bullying.
Torn Earlobe Repair
Earlobes may become torn after extended wear of large or heavy earrings, due to facial injury and trauma at the site of the earlobe, or a variety of other reasons. Torn earlobe repair is a surgical procedure which entails creating an incision, removing damaged tissue, and then closed with sutures. The procedure can usually be done without sedation using only local anesthetic in approximately one hour. Risks from torn earlobe repair surgery are minimal. After the surgery, patients may experience redness and swelling, but most patients can typically resume (light) activities the same day as surgery and return to work the following day.
Gauged Earlobe Repair
Continual stretching, or gauging, of the earlobes may result in torn earlobes, keloid scarring, or permanent disfigurement of the earlobes. Earlobe dilation can be surgically repaired using local anesthetic, removal of excess earlobe material, and sutures to close the earlobe hole so it can heal similar to its original, natural state.
Similarly, torn earlobes due to stretching can be surgically repaired. Keloid scarring of the earlobe is also treatable through a variety of topical and surgical techniques, with treatment selection dependent on the extensiveness of scarring.
Otoplasty - Earlobe Reduction
When patients prevent with too-large earlobes, floppy or hanging skin on the earlobe, or if a facial surgery requires re-anchoring to the earlobe, then an earlobe reduction surgery may be in order.
Earlobe reduction surgery is generally fast, low-risk, and involves minimal downtime and scarring. Two methods for earlobe reduction include wedge reduction which involves removing a small area of earlobe tissue then closing the space with stitches. Another technique, peripheral margin reduction, which involves local anesthesia and removal of an outlined and agreed-up area of the lower earlobe, then using stitches to close the wound at a juncture that will have little visible scarring.
The method of earlobe reduction surgery used depends on the patient’s needs and desired outcomes. An individual assessment can help a patient choose the right option for them.
Earlobe Rejuvenation
If a patient’s earlobes are showing signs of wear, stretching, aging, or lack of fullness, earlobe rejuvenation may be a fitting treatment. Earlobe rejuvenation includes dermal filler treatments such as Juvéderm® and Restylane® in order to increase tissue volume, strengthen skin and connective tissue, and encourage collagen production. By injecting fillers into the earlobe area, this procedure can reduce sagging and stretching, partially close stretched earring holes, and increase the youthfulness of the earlobe’s appearance.
Earlobe rejuvenations are generally fast, low-cost, low-risk procedures that are temporary. They can be completed in-office with little to no downtime and may last six months to two years.
Piercings Gone Bad
Piercings can go wrong in a variety of ways including infection, misalignment, scarring, migration, tears, and disfigurement. TN Valley Oral Surgery offers a variety of techniques to resolve issues from piercings gone bad up to and including surgery. In order to determine which techniques would be right for your specific piercing problems, please visit us for a consultation.
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