OTOPLASTY
(Ear Correction)

Prominent ears are one of the most common congenital anomalies that people desire to improve. Characteristics perceived as odd or unusual often have out-of proportion facial features, such as ears that are too large and stick out.
Surgical correction of prominent ears was first reported in 1845 and since then, over 200 techniques have been reported with varying results.
The current trend is to minimise intervention, keeping it simple, reducing downtime and the risk of complications.

The classical approach to ear correction was challenged by an Israeli Plastic surgeon in the early 1990s .He found there was no need to remove skin as there was no excess, and no need to open the front and back of the ear if a procedure can be performed successfully without cutting. He also found that cutting the cartilage could add unnecessary trauma.
He concluded that long standing post operative bandages were not necessary and satisfactory results could be achieved without stitches behind the ear.

The Procedure

Dr Zurek performs the procedure under local anaesthetic and oral sedation. It takes about 1 hour to complete.
No cutting is required as special sutures are “woven” into the ear under the skin via small punctures; these remain permanently and are not visible or palpable after a short healing time.
The results are instant with no scarring.
You will need to wear a tennis-style headband in bed for 1-2 weeks.
You may return to work the next day, there may be a mild discomfort on contact, but no dressing or sutures.

CORRECTION OF EARLOBES

The earlobes represent an important cosmetic unit and are considered aesthetically pleasing when they are not obvious, but elegantly shaped and proportional in size.

Earlobe shapes can be classified in three basic outlines and attachments:

Round (non attached or dangling)
Square (partially attached)
Triangular (attached)

There are two common earlobe distortions which can be corrected by surgery:

Pixie earlobe (attached earlobe pulled downward)
Megalobule (big earlobes)

The Procedure

Pixie earlobes are corrected by Dr Zurek if a patient has them and is undergoing a SAFE lift procedure. However, there are many ways of correcting this deformity on an individual basis.
Large or Megalobules are corrected by Dr Zurek using a technique learned from Professor Jury of Argentina, which is a double wedge excision (like taking two separate, little “pieces of pie” out of the lobes. The scars will be imperceptible in a few weeks.