Ear Surgery Memphis | University Plastic Surgeons

Ear Reconstruction Surgery

For patients who have suffered trauma to the ear, possess a deformity, or have cancer affecting the area requiring ablation, ear reconstruction surgery may be a necessary procedure. To treat congenitally deformed ears, various types of medical procedures are required. A new ear may be created from the patient’s tissue, often from cartilage harvested from the ribcage.

This is a fully customized procedure and requires exceptional skills and knowledge of reconstructive surgical techniques. We offer our assistance to parents who have children who require a reconstructive procedure for the ears or other face or body area.

Protruding Ears: The Surgical Procedure

Overly protruding ears is a medical condition termed otapostasis. The surgical procedure to correct this issue is called an "otoplasty." The procedure is often performed on either children or adults who are living with this condition. In planning the surgery, the entire facial structure will be evaluated to help create the most pleasing correction through surgery. The steps of the surgery itself are as follows:

The area is numbed. For younger children, it may be recommended that general anesthetic is used – for their comfort.
An incision is placed behind the ear in the fold at which the ear structure joins to the head.
The correct quantity of cartilage and skin is removed so the ears can lie down against the skull in the most natural way.
The cartilage may also be trimmed or reshaped to a more attractive form.
Some patients may not require cartilage removal, but merely carefully placed sutures to hold a new position for the ears in place.
Sutures are placed to re-anchor the ear structure, so it heals in the new position.

Ear surgery expert in Memphis: Dr. Robert Wallace

Dr. Robert Wallace, MD, is our facial plastic surgery expert at University Plastic Surgeons. He is recognized as being among the most accomplished facial plastic surgeons practicing in the area. He serves as Chairman of the Department of Plastic Surgery, and a Professor of Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. Your ear correction surgery will be performed by a true professional in facial plastic surgery at University Plastic Surgeons in Memphis.

Ear Surgery in Memphis

Ear surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in America. Common reasons patients undergo an ear surgery include:

Protruding ears
Overlarge ears
Oddly-shaped ears
Lop ears
Microtia (abnormal ear growth)
Atresia
Ear deformity

Whether the patient is a young child or an adult, ear surgery (otoplasty) must be performed with great delicacy, attention to detail, and skill. The plastic surgeons at University Plastic Surgeons perform both cosmetic and reconstructive ear surgeries.

As acclaimed regional leaders in their field, and as members of the faculty at University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, our surgeons offer high levels of surgical skill, professionalism, and experience. Whether you are seeking a plastic surgeon for a cosmetic enhancement or in a reconstructive treatment, we offer the high-level surgical skills needed to produce excellent results.

Benefits of Ear Surgery

While there are aesthetic reasons to choose to undergo ear surgery, many people feel embarrassed, inhibited, or introverted about the size and shape of their ears. The benefits of repairing ear structure go far beyond finally having ears that look natural and lie against the head in a pleasing way. Children suffer teasing in school and experience emotional distress that any parent wants to help them avoid. Whether child or adult, we care for our patients and help them achieve the confidence in body image that is so important to a happy life.

Ear Surgery Recovery

While recovery from ear surgery varies from patient to patient, the basic recovery steps include:

After surgery, the ears are covered with soft bandages which stay in place for several days.
The discomfort from the incisions is not extreme and can be managed with pain medication during the early stages.
You will be required to sleep on your back while the ear structure heals. Some patients wear a sleeping headband to help hold the ears and sutures in place.
As the incision heals, a scar is formed behind the ears. The scar fades with time and is not visible as it is hidden in the natural ear crease.
For ear reconstruction procedures, the recovery time will vary based upon the various procedures performed in restoring a more natural appearance to the ear.

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Ear surgery for adults

If you feel embarrassed by the appearance of protruding ears, you have the opportunity to create a look that brings you greater happiness with the help of our ear surgery expert, Dr. Wallace. Your ear structure will be surgically reshaped, so your ears lie flat against your head, enhancing your other features.

Overlarge, protruding ears draw the eyes of others, and you may be constantly trying to hide them with hairstyles. Why not be free of this situation with a custom ear reshaping surgery? The outcome can be life-changing. Imagine your ears looking natural, normal, and perfectly shaped – it is all possible with the help of our facial plastic surgery expert, Dr. Wallace.

Ear surgery for children

Even with educators focusing on protecting children from bullying, children with large, protruding ears can be constantly teased, leading to a long-term lack of self-confidence. If your child was born with overlarge ears, protruding ears, or misshapen ears, you can help them live a happier, more confident life with ear surgery.

At what age can a child get ear surgery?

To undergo this custom facial plastic surgery, the ears must have reached full growth, with the earliest age typically at about six years old. With ear surgery, technically called “otoplasty,” the ears can be reshaped so they lie flat against the skull and are normal in size and shape. The difference in your child’s life can be an important step to a happier, healthier, more confident life.

If you have concerns that your child is being teased or bullied due to protruding, oddly-shaped, or asymmetrical ears, you can trust Dr. Wallace and the team at University Plastic Surgeons to perform the surgery with the most advanced health and safety protocols in place. As leaders in the field of plastic surgery and as members of the faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, you can trust us to properly care for your child’s health and safety during surgery.

Reach out to us. We'll be happy to answer any questions.

(901) 866-8525

University Plastic Surgeons 1068 Cresthaven Rd, Suite 500 Memphis, TN 38119

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