Setback Otoplasty (Ear Setback)

Ear Setback Surgery

Setback otoplasty is the surgical setback of outstanding, protruding, prominent or bat ears. Nowadays, this surgery may be avoided by taping the child’s ears in infancy. Unfortunately, after six months of age this treatment is ineffective. Indeed, there are many children, teens and even adults who still suffer from prominent ears and would like them ‘corrected.’ Outstanding ears constitute an aesthetic deformity that can produce severe psychological stress on the sufferer. Children are mercilessly teased at school and adults often acquire nicknames they would prefer to do without.
The surgery is fairly simple and is usually arranged just before the child starts school at age six or so. In the case of teens or adults, it may be carried out at any time. A general or a local anesthetic is employed: the former mostly in children. The incision is placed in the groove behind the ear and two issues are addressed: excess cartilage in the bowl (concha) of the ear, and the lack of a fold behind it (lack of an antehelical fold). A dressing is worn for a week followed by a tennis headband for a month. The results are extremely good.

Schedule a Setback Otoplasty consultation with Dr. J. Brian Boyd in South Bay.