Ear Surgery

Prominent Ear Deformity

This condition occurs at birth and is related to a lack of development of the antihelical fold and or excessive conchal cartilage. Patients with prominent ears can endure social ridicule and decreased self-confidence. Dr. Lucas feels the time to intervene is around five years of age, a time when the ear has matured significantly but before most children become socially-conscious. Even adults who did not undergo surgical repair at an early age are candidates for surgery at any age.

The correction can be performed in an outpatient setting typically under general anesthesia and lasts about one hour for each ear. The general principal is to create an antihelical fold, and bring the conchal cartilage closer to the head. This can be a relatively easy procedure for the patient but can yield wonderful results.

Traumatic Earlobe Deformities

This is a frequent result of wearing excessively large earrings or from young children taking an interest in their mother's jewelry and yanking on the ear. This procedure can be performed in the office setting under local anesthesia. It requires freshening the margins of the cleft earlobe and closing edges together in conjunction with a local tissue rearrangement. It is recommended to defer re-piercing the earlobe for about three months.