Protruding Ears & Otoplasty

The treatment of protruding ears, otoplasty, is a very rewarding procedure for both the surgeon and the patient, especially in children. Children with protruding ears are often teased by their peers which can lead to serious body image problems, or in extreme cases, psychological problems. Helping a young person feel better about themselves and improve their self esteem is a true pleasure. Dr. Niamtu will assist selected families that cannot afford the surgery.

The best time to correct protruding ears is before the child enters school. The ear develops to its mature size early in childhood and most children can have corrective surgery between 5-7 years old.

Depending upon the procedure, recovery is usually several days. The patient will wear a tennis type headband for several days and at night for another week. Female patients can hide the ear with long hair and return to work in as little as 48 hours. Generally patients will refrain from strenuous exercise for 2 weeks. Again, depending on the procedure some patients will have sutures that are removed 14 days after surgery.

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View Dr. Niamtu’s video below before considering having otoplasty


A touching story about how otoplasty changed his life

Dr. Niamtu on NBC News for Performing Free Surgery on Bullied Teen 7-18


View video below to see Dr. Niamtu on ABC News in a story about improving the self-esteem and confidence of a patient who was bullied in school about her protruding ears.

View video below to see Dr. Niamtu on the Lifetime channel in a story about improving the self-esteem and confidence of a patient who was bullied all his life for his protruding ears.

Dr. Niamtu and his bullied patient are featured on Inside Edition and CBS TV show The Talk



Click here to see more information on protruding ears

How is the Otoplasty procedure performed?

Otoplasty (repair of protruding ears) is a very published procedure with hundreds of variations described by many surgeons over the past 50 years. Unfortunately, many of these procedures are shortcuts and although they may sound quick and easy, the results and longevity are frequently compromised.  Like anything else in life, there is a right way and a wrong way and shortcuts frequently lead to poor results. To provide the best and longest lasting procedure, the surgeon must first understand the individual deformities that exist in the patient. Although this sounds very obvious, we frequently see patients presenting to our office that were improperly diagnosed and treated.

What causes protruding ears?

Problem Number 1: Undeveloped Antihelical Fold

Photos of ears showing the antihelical fold, an area which is underdeveloped (left image) causing the ear to protrudeProtruding ears are frequently hereditary and are passed down from one generation to the next.  There are two main reasons for ear protrusion. The first reason is the lack of a defined antihelical fold on the external ear.  In a normal ear, there is a well defined structure known as the anithelical fold which is shown in the picture below.  When this normally well defined structure fails to develop normally, the ear protrudes.

This image shows a patient with a normal antihelical fold (A) and a patient without a developed antihelical fold.

Because the ear is not “folded back” in normal position, it protrudes away from the skull and sticks out as shown in the image below.

This patient has a left ear without a developed antihelical fold, making it protrude

This patient has a left ear without a developed antihelical fold which makes it protrude from the skull.

To correct this type of problem, a Mustardé procedure (pronounced must-ard-y, named after a French surgeon) is performed.  This procedure involves making a hidden incision behind the ear and placing specialized sutures to create a new antihelical fold which bends the ear back into its normal position.

This photo taken from a cadaver dissection shows how the specialized sutures fold the ear back

This picture taken from a cadaver dissection shows how the specialized sutures fold the ear back.  In figure A, the ear is unfurled due to the lack of a fold and in figure B, the ear is set back closer to the skull by the specialized Mustardé sutures.

The image below shows an artistic representation drawn by Dr. Niamtu illustrating the placement of the specialized sutures on the back surface of the ear under the skin.

an artistic representation drawn by Dr Niamtu illustrating placement of the specialized sutures on the back surface of the ear under the skin

This image shows the approximate placement of the Mustardé sutures used to tuck the ear back into normal position.

A - before repositioning the ear to lie in the proper position
B - after Mustardé sutures to create the new antihelical fold and reposition the ear

The above images show how the Mustardé sutures not only create the new antihelical fold, but also reposition the ear to lie back in the proper position.  The left image is before, and the right image is after.


Problem Number 2: Excess Ear Cartilage

A - shows a patient with normal ear cartilage; B - shows a patient with excess cartilage growth contributing to the protruding earsThe second and equally important factor in protruding ears is excessive cartilage growth on the back of the ear (posterior wall of the conchal wall).  Most patients actually have excess cartilage and an underdeveloped antihelical fold and need both problems treated. As elementary as this may sound, many surgeons do not realize this and do not perform the correct procedures for an aesthetic and lasting result.

The image (A) shows a patient with normal ear cartilage and the bottom image (B) shows a patient with excess cartilage growth contributing to the protruding ears.

If protruding ears from excess cartilage are treated with a procedure designed to create an antihelical fold, failure will result over time because of the effect of cartilage memory.  Most patients with protruding ears need some cartilage removed. The most predictable means of doing this is called a Davis procedure and not all surgeons are skilled at this operation. The Davis procedure involves using a hidden incision behind the ear to remove a “kidney bean” shaped wedge of the excess cartilage. This allows the ear to sit further back towards the skull in a natural position. Because many surgeons do not understand this procedure or do not want to take the extra effort and time required to perform it, otoplasty may not be predictable. Instead of removing some excess cartilage (which is the root of the problem), many surgeons will simply suture the ear back to the soft tissues behind the ear which is called a “conchal setback” or Furnas procedure. Although this will produce an improved result, the elastic nature of the excess cartilage will sooner or later cause the ears to protrude again, leaving a disappointed patient.  Another problem with this type of treatment is that the ear canal becomes distorted and can produce an annoying and unaesthetic result.

the Davis procedure treats the source of protruding ears by removing a small 'kidney bean' shaped wedge of excess cartilage

The Davis procedure treats the source of the protruding ears by removing a small “kidney bean” shaped wedge of excess cartilage which allows the ear to set back to a normal position and does not rely on sutures to hold the ear back.

Again, 98% of the otoplasties that I perform require treatment of both the under developed antihelical fold and reduction of the excess cartilage. By combining these procedures I have been able to produce very cosmetic results that do not relapse. I have never had an ear re-protrude that has been treated with these combination procedures.

photo showing the most common causes for protruding ears

This image shows the most common causes for protruding ears. This patient (like most patients with protruding ears) has an under developed antihelical fold (A) and excess cartilage behind the ear.  Failure to treat both problems can cause an unaesthetic and unstable result.

When considering otoplasty for protruding ears, do your homework. Find a surgeon like Dr. Niamtu who appreciates the true causes of ear protrusion and can perform the proper procedures that lead to aesthetic and lasting correction.

Selected Cases

It is not uncommon for patient of all ages to wear their hair long to hide protruding ears. It is very common for these patients to return to their post op appointment with short hair, often for the first time in their life. The young man shown below is an example of “hair style freedom” after otoplasty by Dr. Niamtu.

patient with long hairstyle to hide protruding ears. Commonly for post op appointment, patients return with with short hair, often for the first time in their lives
before and 5 days after ear surgery
before and several weeks after otoplasty surgery

Sara is a cutie from out of town. She is shown before and 5 days after surgery (left) and several weeks after surgery (right).

The patients below were treated with dual procedures to reduce the amount of cartilage and to reconstruct the normal ear fold

One of the really rewarding things about otoplasty surgery is meeting really cool children like my buddy Hunter Ford shown below.  What a handsome little guy!

before and after otoplasty ear surgery
patient after ear surgery shown with family members


Protruding Ear patient Thank You, Richmond VA
Protruding Ear patient post-op with staff, Richmond VA

Twins Before and After Otoplasty in 2007

2007

Same twins, 5 years after otoplasty

2012

The pictures above show my favorite twins. I performed otoplasty on these princesses in 2007 and they are shown in April 2012 in the bottom picture. Their ears still look great, although the surgeon has seemed to age a bit!


The correct surgery and diagnosis equals stable result and longevity

The patient below is shown before surgery (left image), 6 months after surgery (middle image) and 13 years after surgery (right image)

before surgery (left image), 6 months after surgery (middle image) and 13 years after surgery (right image)

Some Kind Words from our patients

 before and after otoplasty     before and after otoplasty

hand-drawn note-- Dear Dr. Joe. Thank you for fixing ears. You and Nurse Sallie were so nice! I love to wear my hair in a ponytail and I got my ears pierced! Before I saw you I couldn't have my hair up and I'm glad I have you to help me fix them. Thank you for helping me and other kids! Stella Grace (hearts and flowers)                    hand-drawn picture-- XOX Dr Joe, me, Nurse Sallie


There are no words to describe how WONDERFUL my experience with Dr Niamtu and his TEAM come through with flying colors! Always warm and welcoming and Greeted with respect, dignity and a deep desire to provide the best possible care...

I can't say enough about this man and his staff. He is the most down to earth guy and tells it like it is opposed to just what you want to hear. I had a genioplasty done by him after I was told by another doctor that it wouldn't make that much of a difference and that I didn't need it. The results exceeded my expectations I'm forever thankful that I got this surgery for many reasons...

Dr Joe is a 2 hour drive from my home in Northern VA but I wouldn't trust anyone else with my lips He applies his knowledge about facial symmetry and presents conservative solutions that make me look better without making me look fake... ...Thank you for the amazing job and loving care you provided to her during her otoplasty and recovery time. Her ears look fabulous! Thank you for your kindness, gentleness and expertise...

Dr Niamtu is truly an angel on earth! Not only is he a brilliant surgeon, he is so down to earth! He is very professional and thorough. He performed otoplasty on my 4 year old daughter's ears 3 days ago, and our experience was phenomenal!

Dr Niamtu preformed otoplasty on my daughter who had one ear that was much more prominentl than the other. I cannot say enough wonderful things about him as a physician as well as the staff...

Otoplasty Overview

Cosmetic otoplasty is a procedure to correct protruding or disfigured ears in children and adults. Most patients present to improve protruding ears although some patients benefit from other surgeries for other ear problems.

Many children are bullied about their protruding ears and studies have shown that this can affect a child’s body image and future well-being. Due to this, it is often desirable to correct protruding ears before beginning school. In children, otoplasty can usually performed from 4-7 years of age.

Numerous procedures are available for ear correction but the most popular operations involve placing specialized sutures to hold the ears in normal position or removal of excess cartilage to allow the ears to sit in a more natural position. Often times, both procedures are performed in a single surgery. Sometimes only a single ear is affected.

The question often arises how to inform young children of the need for surgery and what to do if they are resistant. Like orthodontics, parents usually opt for what they think will be best for the well-being of their children. In some cases the patient’s physician or a psychologist is consulted for communication and direction.

Who is a Candidate?

  • Healthy children without ear infection from 4-7 years old
  • Children that are able to accept the surgical experience and follow instructions
  • Healthy teenagers and adults who desire to correct abnormal ear position

Intended Results

  • Restore protruding ears to a more normal relationship
  • Restore normal anatomy to protruding ears
  • Improve self-confidence and body image

Procedure Description

  • Otoplasty is most frequently performed with IV anesthesia.
  • The procedure is generally performed in the accredited office surgery center.
  • The main incisions are hidden behind the ear and specialized sutures are used to hold the ears back. Cartilage is also sometimes removed or reduced to create a stable and long lasting result.

Recovery and Healing

  • Recovery is generally 1-2 weeks and patients with long hair can easily cover the area.
  • A head bandage or head band is usually worn for 1-2 weeks.
  • Helmets and contact sports are avoided for 4-6 weeks.
  • Underwater swimming is avoided for 2-3 weeks

Other Options

  • Ear molding devices are available to use in the first weeks after birth but are largely ineffective after that.
  • Many short cut procedures are described, but time proven suture and cartilage techniques are safe and predictable.

Note

  • The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are rare.