Dr. David K. Zipfel - Ear Surgery


	“Otoplasty” is the term used to describe a 1-1 1/2 hour procedure performed in the office under local anesthesia to “pin back” or reshape protruding ears. It can be performed at any age after about five years old. Oftentimes patients feel the need to have otoplasty performed on a child before he or she starts school, that is before the other children have a chance to tease and ridicule him or her for having “dumbo ears.” But we have performed otoplasty on patients as old as 65 who finally felt inclined to have something done. Traditionally girls have not felt as much need to have otoplasties because they could usually disguise their protruding ears with an appropriate hairstyle. But being limited to certain hairstyles and long hair is something modern women and girls are less likely to tolerate. Otoplasty is a safe and effective procedure performed under local anesthesia (or general anesthesia in the case of a young child). The major risk is in the technique. Having an artistic surgeon who knows how to bend the ear cartilage instead of cutting through it and create smooth, delicate natural-looking folds in the ear so that it looks like an absolutely normal ear is critical. We have truly seen children’s personalities completely change after a successful otoplasty. go back to procedures home page?