Otoplasty & Ear Reshaping
Surgical pinning and sculpting of prominent or asymmetric ears to achieve natural, balanced facial proportions.
Overview
Otoplasty (ear pinning and reshaping) addresses prominent, protruding, or misshapen ears by sculpting the auricular cartilage into a symmetrical, natural position closer to the head. Prominent ears usually stem from two anatomical features: an underdeveloped antihelical fold (causing the top of the ear to stick out) or an overdeveloped, deep conchal bowl (pushing the entire ear forward). Dr. Garrett Ni utilizes gentle cartilage-sparing suture techniques to fold and position the ear cartilage naturally, avoiding harsh, sharp cartilage bends or 'plastered-back' looks.
Who It Is For
Adults and children (ages 6 and up, once ear cartilage is 85-90% developed) bothered by prominent ears, ear asymmetry, stretched earlobes, or congenital ear contour variations.
Key Anatomical Zones
Permanent horizontal mattress sutures gently bend the cartilage along its natural anatomical axis without cutting or weakening the framework.
Anchors deep conchal cartilage to the mastoid periosteum, moving the entire middle third of the ear closer to the skull.
The incision is placed entirely in the deep groove behind the ear (postauricular sulcus), hiding any incision line completely.
Preserves natural cartilage elasticity and thickness, preventing telltale sharp ridges or telephone-ear deformities.
Dr. Ni’s Approach
Dr. Ni’s double board-certified Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery residency provides intricate mastery of auricular cartilage physics and blood supply. He emphasizes a cartilage-sparing philosophy that uses permanent mattress sutures to shape the cartilage smoothly. The incision is hidden entirely in the natural postauricular crease behind the ear, ensuring that the results look soft, symmetrical, and completely natural from the front, side, and rear.
Surgical & Anatomical Technique
Through an incision hidden on the back of the ear, the posterior auricular cartilage is exposed. Using specialized non-absorbable sutures (Mustardé technique), the antihelix is gently folded to establish a smooth superior crus. Conchal setback sutures (Furnas technique) anchor the concha to the mastoid fascia. If necessary, a small crescent of hypertrophic conchal cartilage is excised. Skin is closed with absorbable sutures.
The Experience
Evaluation of auriculocephalic angles (distance from scalp to ear rim), cartilage stiffness, and facial symmetry.
Performed comfortably under gentle local anesthesia in our Mount Carmel office for adults and teens, or with twilight sedation for younger patients.
Recovery Timeline
A soft protective headband is worn for the first 3-5 days. Sutures are absorbable or removed at day 7. Most patients return to work or school within 5 to 7 days.
Protective soft headband dressing worn. Mild soreness easily managed with over-the-counter medication.
Initial dressing removed in-office. Headband transition to night-time only wear.
Return to work, school, and routine daily activities with ears in their natural, sculpted position.
Cartilage stabilization complete. Safe to resume full contact sports and swimming.
Why Choose Dr. Garrett Ni
Double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing exclusively in facial and ear anatomy.
Fellowship-trained at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and Mount Carmel facial plastic centers.
Cartilage-sparing technique ensures ears never look pinned, flat, or over-corrected.
Caring, compassionate bedside manner with both pediatric and adult patients.
What It Treats
- Prominent ears projecting greater than 2 to 2.5 cm from the scalp
- Flat, unfolded antihelical ear cartilage
- Enlarged conchal bowl cartilage pushing the ear forward
- Asymmetric ear positioning or contour discrepancies
- Stretched, torn, or elongated earlobes (lobuloplasty)
Key Benefits
- Repositions protruding ears closer to the head naturally
- Sculpts natural antihelical folds without sharp cartilage bends
- Hidden incisions placed entirely behind the ear in natural crease
- Permanent results with exceptionally high patient satisfaction
- Performed comfortably in-office under local anesthesia
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Otoplasty & Ear Reshaping.
Schedule Your Private Consultation
Consult personally with Dr. Garrett Ni at our Mount Carmel practice to discuss your aesthetic goals and receive an individualized surgical plan.