Otoplasty in Memphis, TN
Otoplasty, or ear pinning, is a specialized cosmetic ear surgery designed to reshape, reposition, or reduce the size of the ears so they look more balanced in placement and proportion. At The Langsdon Clinic, Dr. Sarah E. Langsdon and Dr. Phillip R. Langsdon perform otoplasty using advanced techniques that recreate the natural folds of the ear and correct protruding or prominent ears. Dr. Phillip Langsdon, founder and long-time leader of the clinic, has dedicated his career to facial plastic surgery, while Dr. Sarah Langsdon brings exceptional training in aesthetic and reconstructive facial procedures. Together, they offer their ear surgery patients compassionate care and natural-looking results.
Ear Correction and Pinning of Large Ears
Protruding ears or prominent ears caused by congenital effects or due to injury may contribute to more embarrassment than others realize. For young children bothered by how far their ears stick out, classroom teasing and nicknames like Dumbo may sometimes have long-term, damaging psychological effects. Many adults are also self-conscious about large, protruding ears. Otoplasty is a cosmetic ear surgery that can correct protruding ears by improving the proportion, position, and shape of your ears, as well as facial symmetry.
Following ear pinning surgery, patients enjoy improved feelings of confidence and standing out among their peers for their unique personalities, instead of prominent ears.
For more information about surgery to correct oversized , prominent, or protruding ears, contact The Langsdon Clinic Dr. Langsdon at (901)-755-6465.
What Otoplasty Can Correct
- Macrotia (overly large ears)
- Protruding ears in varying degrees on both sides or just one. (Not associated with hearing loss)
- Correct unsatisfactory results from previous ear surgery
- Birth defects or ears that developed without normal folds
- Ears that stick out more than desired
- Ears that have changed shape due to an injury
What Causes Development of Large, Prominent Ears?
While protruding ears can develop due to an injury, some people may have been born with prominent ears. During embryologic development (before birth), the ears project straight out, away from the head. By the ninth month, the ears usually assume natural folds and a position closer to the head. When the pre-birth developmental process stops short of completion, individuals may experience birth defects, such as the ears presenting as more prominent and lacking the usual folds.
Since the anterior half of the head develops from two opposite sides, even ears considered normal are rarely identical; the ears may also attach to the skull at slightly different levels or angles. While perfect symmetry of corrected ears is unrealistic, ear pinning surgery can change the shape and position of prominent ears or protruding ears to look balanced in placement, with scars that are hidden behind your ears. Because natural differences in symmetry are normal, small differences in ears corrected by cosmetic ear surgery should not detract from their improved appearance.
Skilled plastic surgeons use techniques that recreate the natural creases of your ears and position them closer to the head while maintaining a natural appearance.
At What Age Is Ear Surgery Usually Recommended?
Children can have otoplasty once their ear cartilage is stable enough for correction, which typically occurs around age 5. For children born with prominent ears, getting this surgery performed in early childhood can prevent much of the emotional trauma that can result from schoolyard bullying.
Many teenagers and adults also choose to have otoplasty if they are bothered by how far their ears stick out, or if protruding ears detract from their self-esteem in social settings.
Otoplasty Videos
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Meet Your Surgeons at The Langsdon Clinic
Together, Dr. Sarah Langsdon and Dr. Phillip Langsdon offer patients exceptional expertise in ear pinning surgery, combining advanced surgical skill with compassionate care.
Sarah E. Langsdon, M.D.
Dr. Sarah Langsdon is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery, including otoplasty. She completed a six-year integrated plastic surgery residency followed by an elite fellowship through the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Her warm, attentive approach and meticulous eye for detail help patients feel confident and empowered through natural-looking ear correction surgery.
Phillip R. Langsdon, M.D. — Founder and Leader
President of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2018
Phillip R. Langsdon, M.D. is a clinical professor in the department of otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis. He has chosen to dedicate his entire career to the pursuit of excellence in facial plastic surgery, including cosmetic ear surgery.
Otoplasty Candidates
Ear correction surgery, including ear pinning, is an individualized procedure, sought for personal reasons. Plastic surgeons, Dr. Sarah Langsdon and Dr. Phillip Langsdon, help their patients feel confident by providing balanced, natural ear contours, so you can decide to move forward.
- In good health and without severe illness or untreated ear infection
- At least five years of age when the ear cartilage is stable enough for correction
- Understands how to follow instructions
- Can communicate their opinions and they agree with surgery
- In good health with no medical issues which may impair hearing
- Do not smoke or are willing to quit
- Have specific goals and a positive outlook for ear surgery
Your Otoplasty Consultation at The Langsdon Clinic
The safety and success of your procedure depend on complete honesty during the consultation process when you visit your plastic surgeon. Prepare to discuss your aesthetic goals, health, and lifestyle, including your complete medical history, allergies, and previous surgeries. Be sure to disclose the use of prescribed medications, supplements, vitamins, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
At your appointment, your surgeon will review your medical history, current health status, and risk factors. We will also take photos for your medical file, explain options in detail, and recommend a course of treatment. This appointment is the perfect opportunity to discuss expected results and potential complications.
While beneficial for most patients, otoplasty surgery poses risks, including bleeding, blood clots, and infection. Based on your medical history, health, and goals, your surgeon may decide that otoplasty is or is not right for you.
Come prepared to ask questions and take notes. Information is essential to feeling confident about your chosen procedure; much of what you learn may take the pressure off undue stress about the procedure.
Preparing for Your Ear Pinning Procedure
Before you decide to move forward with otoplasty surgery, you may need to obtain a medical evaluation from your primary physician, complete certain lab tests, adjust your current medications or take certain medications, and avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and certain supplements, as they may increase bleeding
Special instructions will cover:
- The day of surgery and what to expect
- Anesthesia
- After-surgery recovery and what to expect
You will need someone to assist you in getting home and caring for you the first night after surgery.
Request a Consultation
If you have any questions or wish to schedule a personalized consultation with Dr. Langsdon, please contact our office.
Ear Pinning Surgery in Memphis, TN
The Langsdon Clinic has a full-service, on-site ambulatory surgical center, which is a fully licensed facility by the State of Tennessee Department of Health and holds a Medicare certification and is where your surgery can be performed.
Dr. Sarah Langsdon and Dr. Phillip Langsdon perform otoplasty using local or general anesthetics that prevent pain. Local anesthetics prevent pain during surgery, while general anesthesia allows children or anxious patients to sleep comfortably through the procedure. Patients usually describe this surgery as painless, and they recall little about their ear correction surgery. Children may sometimes require hospital-based anesthesia, depending upon age and emotional maturity.
The procedure finishes the developmental process by positioning the ears closer to the head. Advanced surgical techniques to correct protruding ears involves changing the shape, position, or size by increasing the antithetical fold (inside the ear’s rim) and decreasing the enlarged conchal cartilage (the deepest and largest concavity of the external ear).
Ear pinning surgery involves making tiny incisions carefully hidden behind your ears or concealed within natural skin folds, so they remain virtually undetectable. Through these openings, your surgeon will reshape and reposition cartilage and secure it using internal and external sutures.
After surgery, patients typically wear bandages over their ears for a few days and a loose headband that covers their ears at night for several weeks to protect their ears while sleeping.
Recovery After Ear Pinning
Recovery from otoplasty typically takes a few weeks. Most people resume their typical daily activities after about one week. Stitches may dissolve or require removal within a few weeks.
You may take pain medicine as recommended by your surgeon. If swelling or discomfort becomes worse, call a member of your surgery team.
Otoplasty surgery risks include bleeding, blood clots, infection, scarring, and asymmetry, though these complications are rare when you choose an experienced plastic surgeon.
Schedule Your Otoplasty Consultation
If you’re considering ear pinning surgery, The Langsdon Clinic offers expert care from Dr. Sarah Langsdon and Dr. Phillip Langsdon. Call (901) 755-6465 or schedule your consultation online to learn how otoplasty can help you feel more confident and comfortable with your appearance.
Memphis Otoplasty FAQs
Yes. Otoplasty is often performed on children to spare them from the risk of teasing about large, prominent, or protruding ears and to help them grow up with improved self-confidence. The procedure can be safely performed on children once the cartilage in their ears has stopped growing, which is typically at age 4 or 5.
Yes. Otoplasty can be performed at any age once the cartilage in the ears has stopped growing. It’s common for adults to have otoplasty to correct ears that angle outward, are overly large, or are misshapen. Adults also choose to have otoplasty to correct asymmetry between both ears. Making the ears less prominent can make an adult’s face appear more balanced and attractive, which can bring a boost in self-esteem and self-confidence.
Yes. Ears that are brought closer to the head, reduced in size, or reshaped with otoplasty will not resume their former projection, size, or shape over time after being placed in their proper position and secured. Because the results of otoplasty are permanent, it’s important to choose a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon.
Otoplasty can correct the appearance of mismatched ears. No face is completely symmetrical, and no two ears are exactly matched. Otoplasty brings the size, projection, and shape of the ears closer to matching, so the difference isn’t noticeable.
The surgery itself is performed using anesthestics that prevent pain, so is not uncomfortable. Some discomfort may be felt in the first few days of recovery, though patients don’t describe this as painful. Any discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and by taking care not to lie on the ears when sleeping. Our team covers your ears with a loose headband to prevent discomfort and protect healing.
Otoplasty treats the outer structure of the ear to improve its appearance; however, it does not affect hearing, either for better or worse. If you have hearing problems in addition to cosmetic concerns with your ears, it’s best to see a hearing specialist for diagnosis and treatment first. Once your hearing problems have been addressed, otoplasty can be performed so your ears look balanced in placement.
After we remove the dressings, you will see a difference in your ear’s appearance, although you may also notice some swelling. No peeking at the ear until after we remove the compression dressing! Doing so may alter the outcome, increase the chance of infection, or slow the healing process.
With good after surgery care, treatment is a safe and rewarding experience which carries little risk of complications. Possible complications include a reaction to the anesthesia, asymmetry, visible scarring, blood clot, infection, bleeding, and aesthetic dissatisfaction.
After five to seven days, you can return to normal daily activities
You should avoid strenuous activities for at least one month, possibly two.
We remove external sutures after one week if they are not absorbable.
Your insurance company may cover surgery. You should consult with them to see if it is part of your plan.