What Is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is cosmetic ear surgery that is done to change the look of the ears. It may be performed to correct ears that are too big, oddly shaped, or stick out. Dr. Romo specializes in otoplasty for children and also performs the otoplasty surgery for adult patients as well in NYC.
How Can Otoplasty Help My Child?
Otoplasty ear surgery for children may be used to:
- Change ear shape and protrusion, allowing for a more natural appearance
- Make one or both ears more proportionate to the size and shape of the head and face
- Pinback the ears
- Reduce the size of the ears or make them more symmetrical
- Help the child gain confidence and self-esteem in his or her facial appearance
How Can Otoplasty Benefit My Child?
teasing and taunting, especially in elementary school and, middle school, can really impact a child’s developing self-image and self-confidence. Ear surgery to bring protruding ears closer to the head can effectively stop any teasing before it ever gets started. Since human ears are mostly finished growing by the age of 4, having ear surgery with Dr. Romo can be done before your child even enters school.
If your child doesn’t really understand the impact of their protruding ears yet and you may be wondering if it’s
At What Age Can My Child Have Ear Pinning Surgery?
The only requirement for this surgery is that the ears are fully grown. Believe it or not, human ears are usually finished growing at age four. This is a good time to have otoplasty with Dr. Romo because the surgery can be completed before the child begins school, where the teasing could begin.
Is My Child A Candidate For Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is an option for children who are at least 5 or 6 years old, as reconstructive ear surgery is usually not advised until a patient’s ears have finished developing. Otoplasty will not in any way affect your child’s hearing.
What To Expect During My Child’s Otoplasty Procedure
With otoplasty for children, Dr. Romo designed a unique technique that uses a skin flap behind the ear, which allows for complete exposure of the ear cartilage and a more predictable result when suturing back the cartilage. This procedure avoids a common problem with traditional otoplasty that results in over-pinning, resulting in subsequent flaring of the ears called “telephone deformity.”
Here’s an overview of what you can expect during your child’s otoplasty:
- The procedure will last from 2‒3 hours, depending on the complexity
- Your child will be given an anesthetic so he or she will not feel any pain during the procedure
- Results can be seen immediately
- A light dressing is put in place after the surgery, which usually remains for one day
- After surgery, the patient will be given a ROMO-GUARDTM to protect the ears
- Recovery and potential downtime can range from 10‒14 days
- The surgery is done in the fold of skin behind the ear, so there is no visible scar
What Is Recovery Like After Otoplasty?
Your child’s head will be wrapped in special heavily padded cotton bandages, referred to as “fluff bandages,” after surgery. After a few days, these will be replaced with surgical dressings that need to be worn for the remainder of the first week. At that time, stitches will be removed. Due to the blood pressure in the area, there will be some throbbing for a couple of days, but that can be managed with pain medication. This isn’t as prevalent in children as it is with adults. Dr. Romo provides a Romo-Guard™ to protect the repaired ear or ears, but you’ll still want to set up your child’s bed to help them avoid sleeping on the affected ear or ears for about two weeks. Inadvertently rolling onto the operated ear can cause quite a jolt of pain. Children can return to school after about 7-10 days.
What Results Can Ear Surgery Achieve?
Dr. Romo has been performing otoplasty on children for over a quarter-century. He has developed new surgical techniques and other ways to help children have a better experience with the procedure. As for the results, they are often dramatic. You’ve seen your child’s ears this way since their earliest days, and you may have become somewhat inured to their appearance. Bringing the ears closer to the head can make a significant difference in the child’s appearance.
How Long Will The Results From Ear Surgery Last?
The changes made in your child’s ears are permanent. As mentioned above, human ears are finished growing at the age of 4. Changes made after that time will not be distorted in any way because the ears are not growing or changing any longer. This is a one-time surgery with great results.
What Are The Potential Risks Of Otoplasty For My Child?
This is surgery, so it has all of the inherent risks involved with any surgery. These include excessive bleeding, reaction to anesthesia, and the like. These are very rare risks overall and especially with the extensive experience with these surgeries with children that Dr. Romo has. These are low-risk procedures and they are not overly painful in recovery. Plus, the benefits of the changes in your child’s ears far outweigh the minimal risks involved with these procedures.
Why Choose Dr. Romo For Your Child’s Ear Surgery?
Committed to improving the level of comfort and protection provided by a postoperative ear device for his patients, Dr. Romo designed and developed a device called the ROMO-GUARDTM, which he created specifically for ear reconstruction surgeries.
In partnership with the Little Baby Face Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Dr. Romo, he has provided hundreds of free surgeries to children of low-income families who are born with ear deformities.
Where Can I Find The Best Otoplasty Surgeon For Kids In NYC?
Thomas Romo III, MD, FACS is one of the most experienced and respected plastic surgeons for otoplasty and microtia surgery for children in the world, known for his meticulous minimally invasive surgical techniques and for achieving natural-looking results with a shorter recovery period. As a world-renowned innovator in surgical methods as well as an inventor of new endoscopic instruments for facial surgery, Dr. Romo’s practice draws patients from New York City, across the United States, and internationally for all of their surgical and non-surgical facial cosmetic needs.
Schedule Your Otoplasty Consultation Today!
If you are interested in learning more about otoplasty for children or microtia surgery for children, call our office today at 212-288-1500. You can also schedule a consultation with Dr. Romo by filling out our appointment request form. Your child deserves to look and feel his or her best, so don’t hesitate to contact us today!
