Earlobe Repair or Reduction
Earlobe surgery is intended to repair a torn or "cleft" earlobe, remove a keloid scar (thick scarring), or reduce the size or protruding nature of the earlobe. Most earlobe surgery is performed in the office under local anesthesia or in conjunction with other facial surgery in an operating room.
Cleft earlobes are commonly repaired 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.
Usually not covered by insurance if done for cosmetic purposes only, we will be pleased to help you obtain financing for your earlobe repair or reduction procedure by connecting you with companies that offer financing for cosmetic surgery.
Ear Pinning and Reshaping
Ear pinning surgery, also called otoplasty, typically includes pin back or reduction surgery for protruding ears. Ears are positioned closer to the head by reshaping the supporting tissue. This surgery is common if the Denver otoplasty patient feels his or her ears stick out too far from the side of the head or the ears have an unusual or undesirable shape.
Otoplasty is a common procedure that Dr. Slenkovich performs for men, as well as for school-age children who often report hurtful teasing about their protruding ears. The procedure is appropriate beginning at age 5 or 6 or any age after that.
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.
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.
Ear Pinning without Incisions
Incisionless otoplasty is a pinback surgery for protruding ears that does not require incisions. Ears are positioned closer to the head by reshaping the supporting tissue with sutures (stitches). Not everyone is a candidate for ear pinning without incisions, so Dr. Slenkovich will need to evaluate you to determine the best procedure for your case.
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.
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.
Infant Ear Pinning
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.
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.
Infant ear pinning is done using gentle surgical adhesives and tape that is used to mold the ear back, over soft wax to reform the ear cartilage. 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 of maternal hormones, and diminishes over the first months of life.
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.
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.