Mississauga and Toronto – Otoplasty (Ear Pinning Surgery)
At the Plastic Surgery Clinic, we help many children from the Mississauga and Toronto areas with otoplasty, also known as ear pinning. Children with unusually large, prominent, or malformed ears quickly become the targets of playmates' taunts. This can destroy self-esteem and cause bullied children to develop emotional problems that affect school and home life. Because children can have an otoplasty procedure from the age of five, Dr. Frank Lista can help children avoid the trauma of playground harassment at an early age.
Dr. Lista treats many Brampton, Oakville, Toronto, and Mississauga adults through otoplasty as well. Our adult patients come to the Plastic Surgery Clinic to have Dr. Lista give their ears an aesthetically pleasing shape because they are tired of hearing snide comments or concealing their ears with long hair or other means. Otoplasty can do more than improve the appearance of the ears, however. It can also boost self-esteem and improve confidence in social, business, and romantic settings.
Various problems cause people to seek ear correction with otoplasty. A patient's ears may be normally sized but are exceptionally prominent. Some people have unusually large ears or ears that are abnormally shaped. Dr. Lista evaluates each patient's unique characteristics so that he can customize the otoplasty procedure to achieve optimal results. His goal is to provide an aesthetically pleasing shape that gives no indication that the patient ever had cosmetic surgery.
- Before Your Surgery
- The Otoplasty Procedure
- After Otoplasty Surgery
- The Risks of Otoplasty Surgery
- Enjoying the Results
Before Your Surgery
Dr. Lista meets one-on-one, preferably twice, with all patients at his Toronto and Mississauga-area practice who wish to undergo otoplasty. When meeting with patients, Dr. Lista takes all the time needed to dialogue with the patient regarding their goals for the surgery, as well as the limitations of their planned surgery. In addition, Dr. Lista uses digital imaging to give the patient a reasonable picture of what they can expect.
Patients are also given complete instructions regarding preparation for the otoplasty surgery. The closer patients stick to these guidelines, the higher their chances for optimal results and recovery will be. Quitting smoking at least two weeks prior to the surgery is especially vital to safety and success.
The Otoplasty Procedure
It comes as a surprise to many of our Brampton, Oakville, Mississauga, and Toronto-area patients that otoplasty is an outpatient procedure that generally only takes about two hours to complete, although complex procedures may require more time. Dr. Lista customizes his otoplasty techniques to the unique needs of each patient.
In a common technique used to help patients with prominent ears, Dr. Lista exposes ear cartilage at the back of the ear with an incision. He trims the cartilage and maneuvers the ear so that it sits closer to the head. Sutures hold the ear and cartilage in place until healing makes them unnecessary.
To give an ear a new shape, Dr. Lista makes an incision to the back of the ear and sculpts cartilage to the desired contours. In some cases, Dr. Lista simply removes skin from the back of the ear and folds the cartilage into an aesthetically pleasing profile. He then uses stitches to maintain the new shape.
When a person has only one ear that protrudes, Dr. Lista will usually perform an otoplasty procedure on both ears so that a balanced look is achieved. The surgery leaves a faint scar that fades over time.
After Otoplasty Surgery
Our Brampton, Oakville, Mississauga, and Toronto-area otoplasty patients are usually back on their feet within a few hours of their surgery. After the procedure, the patient must wear a rather bulky bandage. This will be replaced with a lighter, headband-like bandage after a week has passed. The patient may experience some pain for a few days. Dr. Lista can provide pain medication to relieve this discomfort. Perhaps the most difficult part of otoplasty surgery for both adults and children is that the patient must rest quietly at home for approximately a week. Arrangements must be made, therefore, to miss a week of school or work. After returning to normal daily activities, the patient must avoid bending or twisting the ear to ensure proper healing.
The Risks of Otoplasty Surgery
Dr. Lista has extensive experience helping patients from the greater Brampton, Oakville, Toronto, and Mississauga area with otoplasty. His experience, skills, and strict adherence to the highest standards of safety help to ensure that every otoplasty procedure he performs is virtually risk free. However, any surgical procedure carries some risk. Patients sometimes experience an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Infection is possible, but this can almost always be successfully treated with antibiotics. A blood clot can form on the ear. When this occurs, it may disappear on its own, or Dr. Lista can remove it with a needle. In a very small percentage of patients, a deep suture gives way and the ear returns to a protruding position. In this case, the otoplasty procedure usually must be repeated.
Enjoying the Results
Patients of our office serving the Brampton, Oakville, Mississauga, and Toronto areas who have otoplasty are almost universally thrilled with their results. Children often become much more sociable and outgoing, and their grades and attitude toward school improve. Both children and adults enjoy a newfound sense of self-esteem and a boost in their self-confidence. Dr. Lista cautions patients that they shouldn't expect perfectly symmetrical ears to result from otoplasty. Ears are naturally asymmetrical, and Dr. Lista's goal is for the otoplasty patient to have attractive, natural-looking ears that show no signs of having been altered through surgery.
Schedule an Otoplasty Consultation
Dr. Frank Lista helps patients throughout the Brampton, Oakville, Toronto, and Mississauga area achieve soft, natural-looking results through otoplasty. Patients can rest assured that he maintains the highest standards for surgical excellence and safety. Contact the Plastic Surgery Clinic to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Lista.