Do I need my conchal bowl cut? (photos)

Question

Hi I would like to know if my conchal bowl will need to be cut at all and if so will I end up with natural looking ears? Is that all that is required to fix my ears? Thank you

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  With that
being said, based on your photographs, you are a great candidate for an otoplasty.  There are several techniques which could be employed during your surgery.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear jason_smith,In a word, yes, you do need your conchal cartilage reduced to correct your prominent ears.  The specifics of whether you need any additional work done are best addressed with an in person consultation with an American Board of Plastic Surgery board certified plastic surgeon.  Good luck!

Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD · Answer

In my experience, nonexcisional techniques such as suturing do not treat conchal bowl excess in a durable and predictable manner. In a patient with strong/prominent conchal bowls such as yours, I would lean toward excision of cartilage excess followed by suture modification of the remaining parts of the ear.

John Harbison, MD · Answer

Jason, 
      That is a good question, the best otoplasty technique differs for each patient.  It appears from the pictures (in person exam needed to say for sure) that you have both a weak antithelical fold and excess concha.  Both of these can frequently be addressed with suture techniques, but it is possible that a small piece of cartilage needs to be removed in some cases.  This is often not known until repositioning the ear during the operation.  When done well the results look like very natural ears.
Good luck.

Naveen Somia, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

You have excess conchal bowl cartilage that is the main reason for your prominent ears.Conchal bowl reduction will help reduce your prominent ears. yes they will look naturalall the best

Adam Goodwin, MBBS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

So the main reason for your prominent ears is a combination of deep bowl and partially formed anti helical fold. You can tell your self in the mirror, if folding the rim of the ear backwards gets you what you need then no, but i suspect that you will benefit from a bowl reduction. Don't worry, its an easy technique and yields reliable results. Hope that helps, Adam Goodwin

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