Otoplasty
Otoplasty, or ear pinning, is a surgical procedure designed to correct ears that appear too large, prominent, or are asymmetric. The procedure can improve facial proportions and personal confidence.
Treatment Time
1 hour; an isolated lip lift can be performed under local anesthetic or under a general anesthetic if combined with other procedures.
Incisions
Incisions are hidden at the base of the nose where the nose meets the upper lip. After a few months the incisions are barely visible due to their location.
Benefits
The main benefits of a lip lift include a more youthful and elevated appearing upper lip, less need for filler in the upper lips, more fullness, and minimal scarring.
Technique
An incision is made below the nose following the natural curvature of the upper lips. The skin of the upper lip is elevated off the underlying muscle and then strong sutures are used to suspend the skin of the upper lip. Finally, small non-absorbable sutures are used to minimize scarring.
Recovery
One week. After a week the stitches beneath the nose are removed and bruising will largely be gone. Swelling in the lips may persist for 2-3 weeks.
Risks
Risks include bleeding, infection, poor healing, asymmetric result, and not meeting your aesthetic goals. Overall the risks of a lip lift are considered low due to the good healing potential in the area of the incisions.
Who are the best candidates?
Patients who no longer want filler in their upper lips, have signs of upper lip aging including descent and wrinkles, are otherwise healthy, do not smoke, and have clear expectations.
Adjunct Procedures
Often an upper lip lift is combined with other types of facial rejuvenation such as a browlift, upper blepharoplasty, or facelift. Although common to do facial procedures together, a lip lift under local anesthetic by itself is a useful and straight forward operation.
Treatment Time
2-3 hours; the procedure is performed under general anesthetic to minimize the risk of infection and provide the ideal aesthetic result.
Incision
The incision is behind the ear just anterior to the crease between your ear and head. The incision is not visible when looking directly at someone and tends to heal well within a natural crease.
Benefits
The main benefits of an otoplasty are correcting prominent or protruding ears, providing symmetry to asymmetric ears, balancing facial proportions between your face and ears, and boosting self confidence.
Technique
Temporary tattoos are placed in strategic positions on the front of the ear to help guide where sutures will go. A crescent incision is made behind the ear and strong sutures are placed to reposition the ear closer to the head. Absorbable sutures are used to close the skin. A large wrap is placed around the head to hold the ears in the correct position while they heal.
Recovery
After 1-2 weeks bruising and swelling is gone. The ears must be protected for 6 weeks to minimize any chance of damaging the reconstruction.
Risks
The main risks of otoplasty include bleeding, infection, asymmetry, poor healing, and a lack of aesthetic result. Most patients are very satisfied with an otoplasty.
Who are the best candidates?
Patients with prominent or protruding ears, fully developed ear structure, otherwise healthy, non-smoker, ability to follow postoperative instructions, and have clear expectations.
Adjunct Procedures
Otoplasty is often completed in isolation, however other ear problems such as stretched lobes or torn earring holes can easily be addressed concurrently.