Otoplasty for Men

An otoplasty or ear surgery area is commonly performed under general anesthesia for children and local anesthesia for adults. The standard otoplasty procedure brings the ears closer to the head. Otoplasty begins with an incision hidden in the crease behind the ear. This incision allows the cartilage located behind the ears to be reshaped in order to position them closer to the head. There are various surgical techniques involved in correcting irregularities other than protruding ears. These techniques can be discussed with Dr. Kelly Sullivan during the initial consultation.

Otoplasty area is done on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia and may take one to two hours, depending on the extent of your surgery. Because safety is our first concern, Dr. Kelly Sullivan always works with board-certified Maryland anesthesiologists at an accredited surgical center to ensure that your surgery is as safe as possible.

Following your otoplasty surgery, you may recover in a medically supervised setting or in the comfort of your own home. The benefits of an ear surgery include:

• Bring proportion to the face if the ears “stick out” too much
• Correct folded ear tips (“lop ear” or “cup ear”)
• Reshape long or offset earlobes
• Enhance very small ears or other congenital defects
• Remedy an accidental injury, including the loss of an ear

Dr. Kelly Sullivan will give you written instructions for what to expect and how to care for yourself after an ear surgery. These might include:

• After the Otoplasty surgery is completed, bandages will be wrapped around the head. This method secures the ear in place and assists with the healing process
• The bandages are usually removed within a week and replaced with smaller dressings

Generally, post-operative instructions call for plenty of rest and limited movement in order to speed the healing process and reduce the recovery time. Patients sometimes report minor pain associated with surgery. Any discomfort is treated effectively with oral medication.

You will have follow-up appointments with Dr. Kelly Sullivan to monitor your recovery, so be sure to keep them. With careful self-care and compliance with the plastic surgeon Dr. Kelly Sullivan’s advice, most people have a complete recovery and a happy outcome.