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Ear Pinning by Boston Otoplasty Specialist Dr. Bartlett

Doctor Bartlett - Otoplasty

Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a procedure used to correct cosmetic ear issues. Children and adults with prominent ears can feel extremely self-conscious. Children are often teased in school and return home in tears. Adult women often recount that they never wear their hair up because of their ears. Dr. Richard A. Bartlett regularly performs corrective ear surgery in Boston.

Richard A. Bartlett, M.D. sees many pediatric patients for both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and is adept at putting children at ease. If you are considering otoplasty for your child, it is best to consult with Dr. Bartlett to determine the appropriate time to schedule the procedure. Otoplasty can generally be performed as soon as the ears are fully developed, usually at 5 to 6 years of age.

Which Issues Can Be Corrected Using Ear Surgery?

Malformations (including those present at birth) and trauma can result in many types of cosmetic ear issues. Otoplasty can be employed to correct these problems, which present in a variety of ways:

  • Protruding Ear
  • Microtia
  • Macrotia
  • Cryptotia
  • Lop Ear
  • Stahl’s Ear
  • Cup Ear
  • Enlarged/Stretched/Torn Earlobes

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Otoplasty – What to Expect

  • About the Procedure – Otoplasty involves reshaping the ear through an expertly placed incision behind the ear.
  • Anesthesia – Most children have the ear pinning procedure done under a general anesthetic, but adults often have surgery under a local anesthetic or intravenous sedation.

Otoplasty Recovery

A “turban-like” bandage is worn for 4 to 7 days after the procedure (usually a week for children) in order to protect the ears from trauma as they heal. Sleep position must be altered to avoid sleeping on the ear. Patients must wear button-down shirts instead of ones that would need to be pulled over the head.

Younger patients are instructed that they cannot participate in sports, rough activities, or swimming for 8 weeks. Adults are allowed to exercise after 2 weeks.

Otoplasty Cost

The cost of otoplasty varies from patient to patient. Price depends on the types of problems being addressed, the techniques being used, and many other factors.

Set Up a Consultation

Contact the office of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Richard A. Bartlett to find out more about ear surgery in Boston. Schedule your consultation to get started.