Renew Your Confidence with Ear Pinning Surgery or Otoplasty

Most people are taught that beauty is only skin deep. And while it may be true that what's inside a person is most important, that doesn’t mean that appearances don’t count. If a person feels unattractive due to a physical imperfection, their confidence and self-esteem can be affected. This is often the case with patients who have protruding ears. If the ears stick out, a person may feel self conscious to the point that they limit their interactions and shy away from others. Ear surgery or otoplasty can help patients address imperfections in regards to the shape or position of the ears to enhance their natural beauty. Dr. David Sherris offers ear pinning surgery or otoplasty so that his Buffalo, NY patients can draw attention away from the ears and feel more confident about their appearance.

Ear Pinning Candidates

Ear pinning surgery may be an option for any individual whose ears protrude to the point that it is affecting his or her confidence and self-esteem. This surgery is an option that is not only available to adults, but children as well. Choosing to undergo surgery, or to have your child undergo surgery, should not be taken lightly, but it is worth considering if a person’s emotional well being is impacted due to concerns over the appearance of the ears. Those who do wish to undergo ear pinning surgery will need to meet the following requirements:

• Individuals should be healthy and free of any untreated illnesses, or any conditions that could impede healing
• Individuals should be non-smokers, or willing to give up prior to and following surgery
• Patients should have realistic goals for surgery

Ear Pinning Techniques

There are two techniques that may be used for ear pinning surgery. The first technique is known as cartilage scoring. Cartilage scoring is a technique in which an incision is made behind the ear. Dr. Sherris uses this incision to remove any excess cartilage and tissue so that the ear can be repositioned to sit closer to the head. This is the more invasive of the two ear pinning techniques, but is sometimes the most appropriate option for a patient.

The second ear pinning technique is known as cartilage sparing. This method is non-invasive and does not leave a scar. Instead of making an incision to remove cartilage, this technique leaves the ear intact and simply uses stitches or sutures to draw the ears closer to the side of the head. Unfortunately, this technique is not always an option.

Dr. Sherris will carefully consider each patient’s case, as well as his or her desired outcome for surgery, before recommending an ear pinning technique that will be most appropriate for each patient.

Schedule an Appointment

For many patients, ear pinning surgery or otoplasty  brings focus away from the ears so patients can feel more confident in their appearance. If you’d like to learn more about ear pinning and whether it might be right for you or your child, schedule an appointment with Dr. David Sherris at your earliest convenience.