|
Ear
Pinning
Ear
pinning, is surgery that is performed to set prominent ears closer
to the head or to reduce the size of ears that are larger than desired.
Normally, ear pinning is done on children between ages 4-14 because
ears are done growing by the age of four and surgery can prevent
children from enduring ridicule, but ear pinning can also be done
on adults. A successful ear pinning surgery will make ears more
proportional to the size and shape of the head and face.
Ear
pinning begins by making an incision behind the ear where the natural
fold is where the ear is joined to the head. The surgeon removes
the appropriate amount of cartilage and skin to achieve the desired
look. In some ear pinning procedures the surgeon will trim the
cartilage to shape it to a more desirable form and pin the cartilage
back with permanent sutures to secure the cartilage. Sometimes
ear pinning is performed without removing any cartilage and using
stitches to hold the cartilage permanently in place. Sculpting
the cartilage into the desired form the surgeon will then suture
the ear to anchor it until proper healing can hold the ear on its
own.
Ear
pinning carries mild discomfort that will subside after a few weeks.
Minimal risks are involved with ear pinning. The thin scar behind
the ear after ear pinning is placed in the natural crease so that
it is not as visible.
|