Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ears that protrude noticeably, or that are exceptionally large, can cause self-consciousness. For children, conspicuous ears can result in teasing. Ear surgery, also known as "otoplasty," can help both adults and children who are unhappy with the profile of their ears.

A child's ears are almost fully grown by age four, so ear surgery is usually performed during childhood or the early teenage years, though there is no additional risk for adults who wish to undergo otoplasty. The surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in the comfort of our Joint Commission-accredited in-office surgical suite.

There are several methods used to reshape prominent ears. In one of the most common, an incision is made on the back of the ear. The surgeon reshapes and removes cartilage in the ear until the desired shape is achieved, occasionally using non-removable stitches to help the cartilage maintain its new shape. The incision is then closed, and dressings are applied. The small scar from the incision generally fades over time.

Contact our Chicago cosmetic surgery office to schedule a complimentary consultation. Drs. Gary and Irvin Wiesman take the time necessary to talk with their patients and learn their vision for a cosmetic procedure. Then they make their vision a reality.