Dallas Cosmetic Surgery - Otoplasty
As elsewhere in the country, there are a wide variety of plastic surgeries performed in Texas. Otoplasty, a plastic surgery of the ears, is one of the lesser-known cosmetic procedures.
There are several reasons for having an otoplasty performed. These reasons include “lop ear” (the tip of the ear folds down and forward), “cupped ear” (typically a very small ear), “shell ear” (the outer rim curves, the natural folds and creases are missing) and protruding ears. Of these, protruding ears is perhaps the more common condition.
Children between the ages of 4 and 14 often have the condition of protruding ears corrected by cosmetic surgery. Dallas parents may wish to contact a certified plastic surgeon if and once their child demonstrates a desire to have something done about this condition.
As with all medical procedures, there are risks associated with an otoplasty. A few patients may have a blood clot form on the ear which may either dissolve by itself or may need to be removed with a needle. Some patients may acquire an infection within their cartilage which, in turn, may result in the growth of scar tissue. Infections are typically treated with antibiotics, but on rare occasions may require surgery to drain the infected region. However, it must be stressed that risks such as these are rare when a certified Dallas cosmetic surgeon is used.
Dallas cosmetic surgeon, Dr. White is a highly qualified professional certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Otolaryngology. Both of these are member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). It is always important to choose a specialist who has been certified by one of the member boards of the ABMS to ensure that the specialist has the appropriate training and experience. Dr. White is one of the few plastic surgeons who have been certified by two member boards of the ABMS.
Young children will be given general anesthesia while local anesthesia, in conjunction with a sedative, will be given to older children and adults.
Typically the operation involves making a small incision behind the ear. The cartilage is then either sculpted and bent backwards (toward the head) or folded back on itself eliminating the need to remove cartilage. Barring specialized circumstances which may complicate this procedure, the entire operation often takes less than 3 hours.
Even though only one ear may be protruding, surgery is often performed on both ears to maintain symmetry.
After Dr. White has personally sutured the incision, the head will be wrapped within a heavy bandage which facilitates the molding and healing of the ear. The heavy bandage will be replaced by a lighter bandage a few days after the surgery. The stitches will either dissolve or be removed within a week or so.
Both children and adults are ambulatory within a few hours following the otoplasty, but parents may wish to spend the night in the hospital with their young children until the effects of the general anesthesia has subsided.
Care should be taken to avoid bending the ear for more than a month following the operation. Often adults may return to work in roughly 5 days while children may return to school in roughly 7 days. However, parents should take precautions in helping their children avoid certain physical activities associated with sports and the playground.
Adults or parents who have additional questions may wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. White at his office in Dallas, Texas. Otoplasty is just one of the many types of cosmetic procedures for which the top surgeon is skilled.