Ear surgery encompasses many different procedures that can tackle issues in many places around the ear. Many people are familiar with the idea of pinning the ear back to reduce the look of bigger ears, however, this is just the beginning.
What can the surgeries be used for?
Having larger ears can be a source of embarrassment for some. This can relate to the ears sitting further out from the head, the size of the ear/earlobe, or a combination of the two. Many choose to undergo procedures that can alter the size and shape of the ear as this can improve confidence.
Some treatments can also be used to treat more than just the appearance of the ear. Tearing the earlobe is often extremely painful and needs to be repaired. Also, ear gauges can leave the user with extremely stretched-out earlobes that don’t fit their ideal look anymore.
Many of these procedures take less than an hour, and some can even be done under local anaesthetic. So, for many, this is a great choice to deal with a source of insecurity.
Ear Pinning
Otoplasty, or Pinnaplasty, is used to pin back the ear. This can be done in several ways depending on the specific case.
The surgery creates a small incision behind the ear. Then, a small amount of skin will be removed and the cartilage beneath will be excised/reshaped. This will reduce the size of the ear and allow it to sit closer to the head. Finally, sutures will close the incision and hold the ear in its new position.
Having this procedure done can be a good way to tackle bigger ears/ears that stick out from the head in a very short period. The results from this procedure last a lifetime, with many who underwent this treatment as children still having the desired results well into adulthood.
Earlobe reduction
This procedure tackles a larger earlobe specifically. The method used depends on the anatomy of the ear. Ears can have attached lobes or unattached lobes. Attached lobes are where the lobes are connected directly to the tissue of the head, unattached is where the lobe hangs down, and the only connection to the head is at the intertragal notch.
For an attached earlobe, an incision needs to be made where the lobe meets the head. Then, any revisions can be made to the lobe from below. Once the tissue is excised, the remaining lobe will be sutured back to connect at the same point on the face.
For an unattached earlobe, no incision needs to be made between the face and the lobe, as these aren’t attached. This method just involves excising tissue from the base of the lobe. Normally, the surgeon will try to focus any incisions on the back of the lobe to make any scarring less obvious. Again, once the tissue is removed, any incisions will be sutured.
Earlobe tear repair / Stretch repair
There are many reasons that the earlobe may need to be repaired. One of the most common reasons is earlobe tearing due to an earring getting caught in something and ripping through the tissue.
Some people have worn ear gauges in the past but don’t want the look anymore. Both of these situations pose a similar issue of having the ear split into two sections that require joining together again.
Many think that this would be a simple case of stitching the two parts back together, however, Mr. Mark Ho Asjoe uses a more advanced method. Firstly, any tissue that needs to be excised will be, especially in the case of the stretched earlobe. Then, he will use the Z-plasty Method to repair the ear. This method involves creating two triangular flaps in a shape resembling a Z, which are then crossed over and sutured in that pattern. The zig-zag scar is also not very visible and helps to prevent the re-splitting if the scar is in a straight line.
Conclusion
Many different established procedures can help with all facets of the ear. Many of these procedures have been done for decades and have greatly improved the lives of patients who are insecure about elements of their ears or have had painful accidents such as tearing their earlobes. Mr Mark Ho Asjoe has experience in this type of minor surgery and has seen incredible results.
Get in contact today to book your consultation and see what route is the best for you.