Deformed Earlobe Otoplasty? (photo)

Question

Hi, Im 20 years old and as long as I can remember I used to be teased at school for my ears, I have large ears and aside from that they my ear lobes look twisted. Even in hot days I have my long hair down in order to hide them. I live in new york, I would like to know and estimate for the reduction and correction of my ear lobes. Most of the otoplasty cases I seem are used to correct potruding ears and this is not my case, I would like to find the right surgeon for my case.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I read your concerns and reviewed your photos:

	In general, otoplasty surgery is helpful for repositioning your ears closer to your head, not reducing their size. Your ear lobes appear "twisted", but without examining you, it's not clear what's causing this. It appears conceivable to have a procedure with local anesthetic to improve the appearance of your ear lobes so they appear less twisted. You may want to consult several reputable specialists to determine what might be best for you. ABFPRS.org is a good place to find certified specialists near you.

	Hope this helps.

	Dr. Joseph

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

From your photos, it appears that you would do well with an earlobe reduction. This should help to decrease the "twisting" that you don' tlike. In my NYC office, this is done under local anesthesia and the scar is well hidden. Give my office a call and I am happy to evaluate you.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

An earlobe reduction is a stand along procedure without needing to perform an otoplasty. The earlobe reduction can be performed under local anesthesia and costs approximately $1,475 to do both ears. Earlobe reductions typically take approximately a half an hour to perform.

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD · Answer

Your main concern seems to be with your earlobes sticking out or protruding, and with their size being larger than you like.

	 

	There are in office procedure using local anesthesia techniques that I use to reduce the size and can be modified or combined with other otoplasty techniques to pin the earlobes back.

	 

	The cost will vary depending upon exactly what is going to be done, and ranges from several hundred dollars to a two thousand dollars, or more.

	I suggest that you go for  a consultation where you can be examined.  Then a full discussion of your options will be discussed and a  price established.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Interestingly you have a protruding earlobe while the rest of the ear has a normal angular relationship to the side of the head. This is probably because the main ear portion has a cartilage component while the earlobe does not. Anatomy aside, this can be fixed by a simple earlobe setback achieved by a fishtail skin excision on the back of the earlobe. This is often done in standard otoplasties as the earlobe must often be setback as well as the cartilage of the protruding ear. But it can be applied to just a protruding earlobe alone as well.

Deformed Earlobe Otoplasty? (photo)

Answers (5)