The last thing that you want is for your child to experience teasing or bullying because of their appearance. If your child has ears that protrude to the side, then we may be able to perform a cosmetic surgery procedure called an otoplasty. To help you become a little bit more familiar with this procedure, this article will answer a few FAQs about otoplasty.
What Is An Otoplasty?
An otoplasty is a form of ear surgery that we typically perform in patients who are ages 6 to 14 years old. Typically, we will remove extra cartilage and then sculpt it into a new shape which helps move the ear closer to the head. Additionally, we can also remove extra pieces of cartilage which results in a more natural- looking ear fold. On average, this procedure takes about 2-3 hours.
What Is Recovery Like?
When we send your child home from surgery, we will wrap their head in bandages to help keep it in place. Make sure that your child doesn’t remove the bandages until the doctor says so. Additionally, help your child wash the incision site to avoid infection. Because your child will have to take a few days off of school to recover, try to choose activities for them that will allow them to rest. For instance, board games or movies are always a good idea.
What Are Results Like?
Both parents and children are typically thrilled with their results. Plus, when we perform the surgery, we try to conceal the incisions, so they aren’t very noticeable.
If you and your child are interested in learning a little bit more about ear surgery, contact our Huntington office at (631) 423-1000 and schedule an appointment with us today!
