Otoplasty for Protruding Ears

About Dr. Hootan Zandifar

Dr. Hootan Zandifar is board-certified in Otolaryngology and fellowship-trained in Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Zandifar is the director of the Skin Center at the Osborne Head and Neck Institute based at Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers.

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About Dr. Ronen Nazarian

Dr. Ronen Nazarian is the Director of Otology and Hearing Disorders at Osborne Head and Neck Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Nazarian specializes in treating hearing and balance disorders. He is board-certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and has completed fellowship training in Otology and Skull Base Surgery.

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Overview

Otoplasty is the term given to various techniques to correct an over protruded ear. Although fully functional, over protruded ears can have devastating social consequences. Children with this anatomical variation are frequently ridiculed and mocked in schools leading to social isolation and depression. Surgical correction is usually recommended in childhood. This is especially true for boys, since their hair does not typically cover the ears.

Figure 1: Before (left) and after (right) otoplasty.

 

Otoplasty Clinical considerations

The first and most important consideration is the timing of the surgery. Typically, otoplasty is performed after 5 years of age. By then, the ears have grown to adult size thus allowing the surgical correction to be symmetric and long lasting. Also by that age most children have not started school and thus have not been subjected to ridicule. The second consideration is that of surgical technique. Depending on the exact anatomy various minimally invasive procedures can be done to restore the natural appearance of the ear and its projection. Although this is a cosmetic procedure, the ears are functional organs and function of the ear must be maintained.

Surgeons’ Comments

Dr. Hootan Zandifar is double board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. Dr. Ronen Nazarian is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and is fellowship trained in Otology and Neuro-otology. Together they bring tremendous knowledge and a unique experience in both cosmetic and functional repairs of the ear.