Ear Surgery in Oklahoma City
Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, repositions ears when they protrude too far. Patients both young and old who struggle with overly protruding or large ears may find relief in the skills of Oklahoma City cosmetic surgeon Dr. Erik Nuveen.
Is ear surgery right for you?
The goal of ear surgery is to improve the aesthetic appearance of one's ears. Children in particular can benefit from this procedure because it can prevent or stop persistent teasing from other children.
Ear surgery reshapes ears that are:
- Out of proportion
- Protruding too far
- Misshapen
Candidates should be healthy non-smokers who understand the risks and benefits of this procedure. Children should have ears that are fully developed, which usually means that are at least four years old.
How does ear surgery work?
For adults undergoing this procedure, a local anesthetic with sedation will be used, while children often require a general anesthetic. The procedure requires two to three hours to complete.
When beginning, Dr. Nuveen will make a small incision at the back of the ear to access the cartilage. By removing and sculpting the cartilage, the ear can be repositioned. Finally, Dr. Nuveen will fold the ears back closer to the head and place sutures to close the incisions. A head bandage will then be applied, which will help maintain the new position of the ears.
What happens after ear surgery?
After ear surgery, adults may return to work after five days or so, but children may need to miss about one week of school. Due to this, it may be advantageous to schedule otoplasty for children during a break from school, if possible.
The bandage Dr. Nuveen applied post-surgery may need to be changed out over the next couple of days or replaced with a lighter dressing and the sutures will be removed after a week. Any aftercare instructions given by Dr. Nuveen should be followed closely.
Possible complications of ear surgery include blood clots, infection or the formation of scar tissue. Please discuss any questions or concerns you may have with Dr. Nuveen during your consultation in Oklahoma City.
For More Information
To learn more about ear surgery in Oklahoma City, please contact the office of cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Erik J. Nuveen. Call 405-842-6677 to inquire about a consultation, or use our contact page to send an email.
