Otoplasty Cost

Do you have abnormally large or unusually shaped ears? Ear deformities can surely affect one's physical appearance in a big way. Children who are born with ears that are not proportionate to the size of their head or ears that protrude from the sides, are often subjected to ridicule. This can cause an indelible mark on their psyche and lower their self-confidence to a great extent. If your child is fed up with listening to the insensitive comments of those around him/her, a corrective plastic surgery can be performed to put an end to your child's misery. In medical terminology, this ear-reshaping surgery is referred to as otoplasty. How much does otoplasty cost? How much time does it take to recover from this surgery? Here's all you need to know about this procedure.

Who is an Ideal Candidate for Otoplasty?

Otoplasty can be performed on children as well as adults. If the surgery is being performed on a child, it must be ensured that the child's ears are fully developed. By the time one completes four years of age, the ears are fully developed, so, the surgery can be performed anytime within the age of four to fourteen years. Though adults can also undergo this procedure, the ear cartilage is softer and more pliable when one is young. So, for people who are born with enlarged ear lobes, lop ear, flattened, protruding or asymmetrical ears, it would be a good decision to have the surgery performed at an early age. It's important that the person having an earlobe repair, ear pinning, or ear reshaping surgery performed is healthy.

How is Otoplasty Performed

This reconstructive ear surgery involves making an incision just behind the ear. These days, many surgeons are resorting to the use of a laser for making the incision. After making an incision in the fold at the back, where the ear meets the head, the extra cartilage and skin is removed or trimmed to reduce the protrusion. The cartilage is pinned at the right place with permanent sutures and the incision is closed. After that a head dressing is applied. Since the patient experiences ear pain and swelling for a couple of weeks, doctors generally prescribe pain killers. The head dressing will be removed after a week and the ears will be examined. Since the stitches are at the back of the ear, the scars stay concealed. The size of the ears is reduced, and the ears are reshaped and positioned closer to the head, so, this way the patient gets natural and symmetrical-looking ears with no visible scarring. The procedure is performed under anesthesia.

Though one can resume normal activities after a week, precautions need be taken during the recovery time. The healing period ranges from five to six weeks after the surgery. The patient must refrain from pulling or tugging at his/her ears for this period. This can affect the shape of the ears. Many doctor recommend the use of a headband at night. This is to prevent any damage to the cartilage of the newly shaped ears. One might experience pain, headaches or dizziness post surgery, but within a week, these symptoms will disappear. As is the case with most surgical procedures, there is a risk of bleeding or infection. If you experience bleeding, then make it a point to consult your surgeon soon.

Cost of Otoplasty

The cost of this ear-reshaping surgery depends on a variety of factors. The cost can range from $3,000 to $7,000. The expertise of the surgeon, the location of the clinic, the equipment used, the extent of deformity, and the duration of the operation are some of the factors that will determine the cost of this ear reshaping surgery. The total cost includes the cost of local or general anesthesia. In case of small children, general anesthesia and mild sedatives are administered whereas local anesthesia is recommended for older children and adults. The cost also includes pre-surgical evaluations, operating room fees, medications and follow-up visits. Wondering whether the cost will be covered by insurance companies? Well, that depends on the purpose of the surgery. Insurance companies might reimburse the cost or a part of it if the surgery is performed for correcting a defect caused due to a traumatic injury or a congenital ear deformity.

Since, the cost of this procedure varies depending on a variety of factors, those of you who are planning to get this surgery performed to tackle this cosmetic ear problem, must ask the surgeon about all the details. If the cost seems to be high, you could look for other financing options.