San Antonio otoplasty, ear reshaping, or ear pinning is a solution for patients struggling with protruding or oversized, ears. Larger, or “outstanding,” ears may cause children and adults to become very self-conscious about their facial appearance. Larger ears may attract unwanted attention or distract from the natural beauty of one’s face. San Antonio Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kenneth Yu pins back or reshapes the ears for an attractive look, always keeping a patient’s hearing in mind.
Healthy San Antonio men, women, and children who are seeking improvement to the appearance of their ears are excellent candidates for ear reshaping, or otoplasty. Surgery may be performed on any patient over the age of 5 years. Ideal patients are in good overall health and have realistic expectations of what this surgery can accomplish. An experienced otoplastic surgeon like Dr. Kenneth Yu always places patient safety first and carefully screens patients to determine their candidacy. Dr. Yu will recommend the best course of treatment to reduce the risk of complications while delivering the best aesthetic results.
Ear pinning, or otoplasty, may be performed with moderate sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s preference and age. When performed on very young children ear reconstruction may be carried out in a hospital setting. For those patients who need a small correction, the treatment may be performed in Dr. Kenneth Yu’s office under local anesthesia.
Dr. Yu is experienced in a wide array of ear reshaping techniques. During ear pinning surgery Dr. Yu makes a small incision on the back of the ear to expose the cartilage. He then repositions the cartilage closer to the head in a more appealing position. Any excess cartilage is removed. Scarring is minimal and the sutures are securely hidden underneath the skin.
For reconstructive ear surgery Dr. Kenneth Yu will use one of several state-of-the-art techniques, depending on the degree of correction and invasiveness needed. Dr. Yu has experience reconstructing ear defects resulting from trauma, cancer, or overly large ears. Dr. Kenneth Yu is one of San Antonio’s select few double Board certified Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons with the expertise to reconstruct a cosmetically appealing ear while maintaining hearing function. Dr. Yu will spend time evaluating your case, answer any questions, and discuss the best course of action with you during your consultation.
Ear surgery is performed on an outpatient basis. Most patients return home a few hours after surgery. After the procedure, the ears will be bandaged securely to facilitate healing and minimize swelling.
Length of recovery time depends on the complexity of the procedure and varies from patient to patient. Mild discomfort, bruising, or swelling lasts 7 to 10 days. Most patients are able to return to work, school, or other daily activities within about one week. Avoidance of contact sports is recommended for about one month after surgery. Dr. Kenneth Yu reduces bruising and recovery time with the use of homeopathic and herbal options. Detailed postoperative and aftercare instructions will be provided to each patient.
Those patients considering otoplasty, or ear reshaping, should carefully evaluate their surgeon’s credentials and training. Dr. Kenneth Yu is one of the few fellowship trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive otoplasty surgeons in the San Antonio, Texas area. Dr. Yu is also a Board certified Head and Neck Surgeon, with extensive knowledge to deliver the best cosmetic results while safeguarding proper ear and hearing function.
*This content was reviewed by Dr. Kenneth Yu, a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in head and neck surgery (otolaryngology). His practice — Dr. Kenneth Yu Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery — proudly serves the San Antonio and Austin communities.
