 |
Nasal and Ear Surgery
Dr. Slenkovich is Board-certified in ear, nose, and throat surgery. He is uniquely skilled in helping restore or improve the function and aesthetic appearance of the nose and ears.
Procedures include:
Nose Reshaping
Deviated Septum/Broken Nose Repair
Ear Pinning
Ear Pinning without Incisions
Infants with Protruding Ears
Earlobe Repair or Reduction
Nasal and Ear Reconstruction
Nose Reshaping
What Does It Do?
Nasal surgery, or rhinoplasty, is one of the most common of all plastic surgery procedures. It is designed to improve nasal-facial proportions through a wide range of procedures, from reducing the overall size of the nose to changing the shape of the tip or narrowing the span of the nostrils.
Are You a Candidate?
If you have a nose that you think is cosmetically unattractive, does not "fit" with the rest of your facial features, or appears abnormal as a result of a birth defect, injury, or disease, you may be a candidate for nose reshaping.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
Nose reshaping is done on an outpatient basis under sedation or general anesthesia.
What Is Recovery Like?
Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Most of the swelling and bruising subsides progressively over two to four weeks. The semifinal result of a nose reshaping procedure is evident in three months. The final result is evident in 12 to 14 months.
Insurance?
Nose reshaping is rarely covered by insurance if it is being done for cosmetic reasons alone. If, however, the nasal deformity is a result of recent injury or has caused significant blockage of the nose, insurance coverage may be available. We will help you obtain pre-authorization from your insurance company.
Dr. Slenkovich has written or edited a number of medical articles on Nasal Surgery, or “Rhinoplasty.” See
“Rhinoplasty, Alar Cartilage Resection“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Asian“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Augmentation“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Basic Closed Technique“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Basic Open Technique“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Maxillary Augmentation“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Osteotomies“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Spreader Grafts“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Supratip Deformity“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Tip Approaches“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Tip Surgery“ ;
“Rhinoplasty, Tripod Theory“ ;
and
“Rhinoplasty, Turbinate Reduction “ .
Deviated Septum/Broken Nose Repair
What Does It Do?
Repair of a deviated nasal septum or blocked nasal passages, known as septoplasty or septorhinoplasty, is highly successful at relieving nasal obstruction. It is used to correct problems with the nose, such as breathing difficulties or damage incurred through injury. Nasal airway surgery is closely related to nasal reshaping surgery and often techniques are combined in a given case.
Are You a Candidate?
If you have blockage of one or both of your nasal passages, you may be a candidate for septoplasty or septorhinoplasty.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
Septoplasty and septorhinoplasty are performed on an outpatient basis under sedation with local or general anesthesia.
What Is Recovery Like?
Initial discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. Splints are commonly used inside the nose that are removed within the first week. Commonly breathing is better immediately after removing the internal splints. If rhinoplasty is combined with septoplasty, recovery follows that described above under nose reshaping.
Insurance?
Septoplasty and nasal obstruction surgery is commonly covered by insurance companies. We are happy to help you obtain insurance pre-authorization.
Dr. Slenkovich has written or edited several articles on Broken Nose Surgery and Nasal Reconstruction Surgery. See “Facial Trauma, Nasal Fractures“
“Facial Trauma, Sports-Related Injuries“ ;
“Nasal Implants“ ;
“Nasal Reconstruction, Paramedian Forehead Flap“ ;
and
“Nasal Reconstruction, Principles and Techniques“ .
Ear Pinning
What Does It Do?
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, typically includes pinback or reduction surgery for protruding ears. Ears are positioned closer to the head by reshaping the supporting tissue.
Are You a Candidate?
If you think your ears stick out too far from the side of your head, or if you think they have an unusual or undesirable shape, you may be a candidate for ear pinning. School age children have reported profound and hurtful teasing about their protruding ears. The procedure is appropriate beginning at age 5 or 6, and at any age after that.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
Ear pinning is usually performed on an outpatient basis under sedation and local or general anesthesia. The ears may be bandaged with a head-band-type dressing for several days after surgery.
What Is Recovery Like?
Initial mild postoperative discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. The ears usually look "normal" within 10 to 20 days. A head band may be used to protect the ears for a week or so. Contact sports should be avoided for about a month.
Insurance?
Ear pinning is considered cosmetic and is usually not covered by insurance.
Ear Pinning without Incisions
What Does It Do?
Incisionless otoplasty is a pinback surgery for protruding ears. Ears are positioned closer to the head by reshaping the supporting tissue with sutures.
Are You a Candidate?
Similar guidelines as for traditional otoplasty described above, however Dr. Slenkovich will need to evaluate you to determine the best procedure for your case.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
Incisionless ear pinning uses sutures passed through the ear cartilage via needle holes placed in the overlying skin. These sutures are carefully placed to shape the contours of the cartilage and set back the ears. A head-band-type dressing is used until you return for a postoperative visit after surgery.
What Is Recovery Like?
Initial mild postoperative discomfort is easily controlled with oral medication. The procedure is appropriate beginning at age 5 or 6, and at any age after that. The ears usually look "normal" within a week or two. A head band may be worn to protect the ears. Contact sports should be avoided for about a month.
Insurance?
Ear pinning is considered cosmetic and is usually not covered by insurance.
Infants with Protruding Ears
What Can You Do About Protruding Ears in Infants?
Babies born with protruding ears may be able to have their ears remolded, permanently, with ear taping in the neonatal period. Potentially future surgery can be avoided with this procedure.
When is a Baby a Candidate?
Newborns 0-4 weeks of age are most likely to respond to ear taping procedures, although taping may be attempted up to 2-3 months of age.
How Is the Procedure Performed?
Gentle surgical adhesives and tape are used to mold the ear back over soft wax to reform the ear cartilage. It turns out than newborn cartilage is malleable and may be permanently reformed with this procedure. This moldability is felt to be due to elasticity of the cartilage from the influence maternal hormones, and diminishes over the first months of life.
Does it hurt? How long does it take?
The taping process is continued as tolerated by the child with regular office visits for several weeks. It is generally painless but does require motivated caretakers to work through the process.
Insurance?
Similar to otoplasty surgery for protruding ears, ear taping is usually not covered by insurance.
Earlobe Repair or Reduction
What Does It Do?
Earlobe surgery is intended to repair a torn or "cleft" earlobe, remove a keloid scar, or reduce the size or protruding nature of the earlobe.
Are You a Candidate?
If you have a defect of the earlobe, you may be a candidate. Contact our office for a consultation or further information.
How Are these Procedures Performed?
Most earlobe surgery is performed in the office under local anesthesia or in conjunction with other facial surgery in an operating room.
Cleft earlobes repaired commonly with a "Z-plasty" to rearrange the scar. The old piercing is closed, and the ear may be re-pierced.
Keloids are typically excised and a pressure dressing is sewn in place for a few weeks to prevent recurrence. Additional techniques are available to treat early scar formation.
Earlobe reductions or setbacks are performed with incisions and local tissue re-arrangements tailored to your specific anatomy and deformity.
Insurance?
Earlobe repairs are uncommonly covered by insurance.
Dr. Slenkovich has written or edited a number of medical articles on Ear Surgery. See
“Ear, Congenital Deformities” ;
“Ear, Microtia” ;
“Ear, Prominent Ear” ;
and
“Ear, Reconstruction and Salvage”.
Nasal and Ear Reconstruction
Dr. Slenkovich frequently performs facial, eyelid, nasal and ear reconstructions for trauma, solid tumors, skin cancer or other defects or scars. Please contact our office for a consultation or further information.
|
|
 |
| |
Dr. Slenkovich is
Board Certified in two
surgical specialties:
Plastic Surgery by The American Board of Plastic Surgery
and
Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery by
The American Board of Otolaryngology
FROM OUR PATIENTS. . .
“You all were great! I felt like you really cared about me and I highly recommend you to my friends.
“I couldn't have found a better office or surgeon that was more professional or caring.
"Thanks so much.”
-K M C
|
|
| |
|