Do your ears protrude a bit more than you’d like? Or are they deformed in some other way? Then otoplasty (ear surgery) is the surgical procedure you need to correct and reshape your ears. This will lead to a more balanced appearance to suit the rest of the face as can be seen in our before and after gallery.

More About the Surgery

Anyone who is physically healthy and has the proper expectations for what can be achieve is a candidate for otoplasty. Though otoplasty is commonly performed on adults, it can performed on children as young as 5. The operation can take as little as 30 minutes or up to an hour and a half depending on the individual patient and the extent of the surgery. When performing otoplasty on adults, Dr Batniji generally uses intravenous sedation with local anesthesia, and general anesthesia when performing on younger children.

An incision is placed in an inconspicuous location behind the ear. Excess skin is removed and the lobes are reshaped. Of the many techniques and methodologies available, Dr. Batniji generally prefers the most cartilage-sparing ones. If the prominent ears are caused by a protrusion of the concha (or the hollow, flat area just outside the ear canal) then a conchal setback will be performed removing the excess bowl-shaped cartilage with suturing techniques. In some cases the antihelix, or outer rim Y-shaped part of the ear, may require repositioning. A cartilage-sparing technique is used to create a natural curve to the outer ear by placing special sutures called Mustarde sutures. To allow for proper positioning small amounts of excess cartilage may be removed, but as always Dr. Batniji prefers cartilage-sparing techniques.

Recovery

As with any surgery there will be some swelling and bruising post-op. Any discomfort will be treated with medication. Patients can generally return to school or work within a week, but strenuous activities where the ear could be suffering trauma are to be avoided for a month or longer. A dressing is applied to the ears of all patients. Younger children are required to wear the dressing for a week. Then a sports headband will be prescribed for two weeks. After this time it will be replaced with a new headband for an additional two weeks to be worn just at night.

Schedule an Appointment to Learn More

If you would like to know more about otoplasty and have a complimentary evaluation please contact the office of Dr. Rami K. Batniji M.D., F.A.C.S. at his Beverly Hills (310-467-2180) or Newport Beach/Orange County office (949-650-8882). Prospective patients can also email the staff to schedule their initial consultation and to discuss any concerns or questions. We can also assist with travel and financing arrangements.

Dr. Batniji is among only a handful of doctors in Southern California who specialize in the face and neck regions only. As a result, he is able to ensure the best results to rejuvenate those areas in a way that is natural in appearance, both surgically and non-surgically. He is board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and by the American Board of Otolaryngology. He has written extensively in a number of medical journals and spoken regularly at medical conferences and in mass media. Dr. Batniji will meet with you for a consultation to discuss your concerns and whether or not otoplasty can best address your needs.