Otoplasty

Otoplasty

Otoplasty in Charleston, SC, by Dr. David Rodwell

Otoplasty or ear surgery is a procedure in which board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. David Rodwell corrects large or protruding ears. If the ears are misshapen or different in size, he can reshape them to better define their natural folds and contours.

While it’s possible to perform otoplasty on both adults and children, it is best to plan the surgery at an early age to spare the teasing that often accompanies ear abnormalities. Generally, the procedure is safe for children over the age of 6, once the ears have fully matured. Otoplasty requires considerable skill and experience on the part of your surgeon. Dr. Rodwell has performed many successful ear surgeries and works well with young patients.

For patients with torn or stretched earlobes, Dr. Rodwell offers earlobe repair surgery. If elongated or sagging earlobes due to aging is an issue, he performs earlobe reduction to restore earlobes to their a more pleasing size.

To learn more about otoplasty, call 843-628-1415 or schedule a consultation today.

Dr. Rodwell is a skilled surgeon with a terrific bedside manner. No one compares with this level of work.

—Michael W.

Why Otoplasty?

If you or your child struggles with protruding or enlarged ears, resolve that cosmetic concern with this specialized ear surgery.

Otoplasty can:

  • Reduce the size of large ears
  • Correct ears that stick out, bringing them closer to the head
  • Reshape ears when desired
  • Make the ears more symmetrical

When ears dominate facial appearance, it can affect confidence and self-esteem, especially for children. The goal of otoplasty is to diminish ear prominence, so other facial features will shine.

Dr. Rodwell’s Approach to Otoplasty

At Charleston Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Rodwell customizes his otoplasty approach based on patient need and desire. He has a reputation for listening to concerns for you or your child to consider while formulating a surgical plan. The patient’s anatomy plays a role as to what is possible, and Dr. Rodwell will explain fully what to expect from the results.

Your surgeon can usually hide otoplasty incisions in ear folds or behind the ears. In the case of protruding ears, Dr. Rodwell performs a procedure called ear pinning, which involves moving the ears closer to the head. The surgery might require anesthesia (always recommended for children) or, for some patients, with a local anesthetic and light sedation in the office.

What to Expect After Otoplasty

Otoplasty patients should be able to return to work or school one week after surgery, with a few restrictions on strenuous activity for several more weeks. Dr. Rodwell will bandage the ears with a headband dressing, and recovering otoplasty patients can’t use earbuds during the healing process. Patients must also sleep on their backs for some time.

You can expect some bruising, soreness, and mild swelling for a couple of weeks, which is highly tolerable. Keeping the head elevated over the chest while sleeping or resting will reduce inflammation to a minimum.

Dr. Rodwell’s office will monitor your progress to make sure the ears are healing correctly during the recovery process.

If you are considering otoplasty in Charleston, contact Dr. Rodwell today to discuss your candidacy.

Otoplasty FAQs

What Happens During an Otoplasty Consultation?

The consultation provides Dr. Rodwell the opportunity to discuss aesthetic goals, evaluate the ears, and review the patient’s medical history. From there, he will take this information to create a surgical plan that he will explain in detail. He will provide instructions to follow before and after surgery, as well.

How Much Does Otoplasty Cost?

Otoplasty cost in Charleston depends on various factors, including the extent of the procedure, where you choose to have it performed, and your plastic surgeon’s skill level. For a detailed estimate of ear surgery cost, you can schedule a consultation with us at Charleston Facial Plastic surgery.

How Long Does Ear Surgery Take?

Otoplasty takes anywhere from one to two hours, depending on the correction required.

Where Will the Incisions Be?

Dr. Rodwell makes small incisions along the back of the ear or the front crease.

Will There Be Visible Scarring After Otoplasty?

Although the surgery will leave scars, they will be tiny and well-concealed in the front crease or behind the ears.

Is Otoplasty Painful?

Discomfort is minimal, with some throbbing in the ear area for the first few days after surgery. Dr. Rodwell will prescribe appropriate pain medication when necessary.

What Are the Potential Complications of Otoplasty?

With proper after-surgery care, otoplasty is a safe and effective cosmetic operation with minimal risk. Possible ear surgery complications include bleeding, blood clots, infection, scarring, asymmetry, and adverse reaction to anesthesia.

When Can I See My Otoplasty Results?

No peeking until after you have the compression dressing removed! Doing so might increase the chance of infection or alter your results. After you have the bandages taken off, you will instantly see a difference, though some swelling may remain.

Can I Have a Split Earlobe Corrected?

We can safely and effectively repair torn or stretched earlobes employing a delicate technique. The outpatient procedure takes place while you are under local anesthesia.

To rebuild the earlobe, Dr. Rodwell removes any scar tissue. Dr. Rodwell can repair partial tears in a straight line, but he prefers a zigzag technique for complete tears.

Not only will this restore the earlobe presence, but the tissue will be stronger to help prevent tears in the future. In addition, the earlobe will heal beautifully, and scarring is barely visible.

How Long Is Otoplasty Recovery?

Recovering from this procedure usually lasts no longer than two weeks.

How Do I Start the Process?

We invite you to call us at 843-628-1415 or schedule a consultation online.