(Overview)WHAT IS otoplasty - ear pinning

Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of a person’s ears. Otoplasty typically serves two functions: setting prominent ears back closer to the head, and reducing the size of large ears

 Dr. Giuffre has been performing otoplasty surgery with excellent cosmetic results for many years. Whatever your reasons for surgery are, Dr. Giuffre personalizes the procedure according to your needs and treatment goals to obtain your ideal face.

 

CANDIDATES FOR EAR SURGERY

Candidates for otoplasty may be those who feel self-conscious about their ears and want to improve their appearance. This procedure is usually delayed until the child is 4-5 years old when ears are almost fully grown, but done before entering the first grade in school.

For children up to the age of 18 years, AHS will cover the cost of this procedure. In adults, this is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by Alberta Health Services.



EAR PROCEDURE

Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning, generally lasts one hour. This is a day Procedure, where the child goes home the same day done in a private surgical facility adjacent to Dr. Giuffre’s office. The type of anesthesia used typically depends on the age of the patient. General anesthesia is recommended for very young patients; local anesthesia and a sedative may be used for older children and adults.

There are a number of different techniques to correct the ear prominence, and shape deformity, and the technique will be customized to the patient. The otoplasty procedure begins with a small incision made behind the ear, in the natural crease where the ear meets the head. The cartilage is then adjusted into its new position to achieve the desired appearance.

Lastly, Dr. Giuffre will close the incisions with both dissolving sutures and bandage is then wrapped around the head to secure the new positioning. At one week following surgery, the bandage is removed and then the hair can be washed.


RECOVERY AFTER Otoplasty

After the surgery is completed, the patient is kept in the recovery room for an hour before they are escorted home by their ride.  Postoperative visits include a 1 week visit and a 6 week visit.  If there are any patient concerns, Dr. Giuffre provides his home phone number for patient's direct access.

After about one week following otoplasty, children may return to school, and adults may return to work and resume normal daily activities. After it has healed completely, there will usually be a faint scar on the back of the ear. However, because of the strategic placement of the incision, the scar should be virtually unnoticeable and, typically, will fade with time.

Dr. Giuffre provides his home phone number to his cosmetic patients in case there is a patient concern.  In the rare instance that a patient requires hospitalization, Dr. Giuffre has admitting privileges to all of the major hospitals in Edmonton.



RISKS OF Otoplasty

With any surgery there are surgical and anesthetic risks.


Aside from the rare risks of an anesthetic event, some of the general and specific surgical risks for this procedure would include:


  • Scarring

  • Infection of the incision

  • Swelling and bruising- this is very minimal

  • Sensation changes to the ear for up to 6 weeks

  • Discomfort

  • Time off school for children and work for adults 

  • Bleeding (hematoma)

  • Asymmetry

  • Relapse where the ear becomes prominent again. This is due to a cartilage suture breaking and is easily corrected by replacing the suture.

  • Extrusion of the permanent cartilage suture which shows as a non-healing small scab along the incision line: This suture would require replacement.


This list is not complete.


**During the consultation with the patient, Dr. Giuffre will outline and explain each of the risks in detail.



FAQS

Is this surgery covered by AHS (Alberta Health Services)?

  • For children up to the age of 18 years, AHS will cover this procedure.

  • It is not covered by AHS for Adults

How often do I need to come back for a checkup after the surgery? 

  • Postoperative visits include:

  • a 1 week visit

  • a 6 week visit. 

If there are any patient concerns, Dr. Giuffre provides his home phone number for patient's direct access. 

After the 6 week visit, if there are any future requests for an appointment, they are made directly with Dr. Giuffre office and an expedited visit is arranged.