Ear deformities are conditions that affect the appearance and function of ears.
These deformities can be trauma-based or congenital. Congenital deformities occur at birth and are the most common form of ear abnormality in the United States. Approximately 4 million babies are born with abnormal ear positioning each year.
Although a large number of these deformities disappear as the child grows up, some of them require surgical (Otoplasty) or non-surgical interventions. Since it is hard to tell which deformities will disappear, it is crucial to seek medical advice as soon as you notice deformed ears on your child.
Normal External Ear Structure
Before we dig into the various types of ear deformities, it is essential to understand the anatomy of a healthy ear. Ears possess a typical C-like shape with a helix at the top and attached earlobes at the lower side.
On the inside, ears have a Y-like formation consisting of the antihelix and both inferior and superior crura. Also, the ear external ear consists of cartilage, which is present everywhere except on the earlobe. Most ear deformities affect the cartilage.
Common Types of Ear Deformities
As noted, ear deformities can be trauma-based or congenital. Each of these categories results in different types of ear deformities, which include:
Congenital Ear Deformities
These deformities occur due to poor positioning of the child in the womb, resulting in deformed ears. Some congenital malformations are:
- Prominent Ears – Also known as protruding ears, this deformation is common in babies and children, and it occurs when the child’s ear sticks out from the skull more than 2 cm.
- Protruding Ears – This condition affects the child’s cartilage, typically presenting as extra cartilage or dispositional cartilage. Protruding ears occur when the anti-helical structure fails to fold correctly, leading to a sticking out of the helix.
- Lop Ears – These deformities affect the helical rim of the ear. The helix is either tight, folded over, or wrinkled. Lop or constricted ears can be mild; in this case, folding affects only the helix. Or the deformities can be severe, affecting the helix and scapha.
- Microtia – A person with microtia has an underdeveloped outer ear. Most people with this condition only have an earlobe, but they lack other visible parts of the outer ear. Microtia occurs at a high rate in children who were born from a diabetic mother or exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. It is more common in male infants than female infants.
- Cryptotia – Referred to as hidden ear, this deformity occurs when the upper cartilage of the ear is present but hidden under the scalp skin. People with these earlobe types have issues wearing glasses.
- Anotia – Unlike microtia, people with these types of ears have no visible ear. However, it is rare and can affect one or both ears. Also, this condition is common in infants born from a diabetic mother.
- Stahl Ear – This ear shape occurs when the cartilage becomes misshapen. The upper ear gets an extra fold of the cartilage, leading to a pointy shape.
Trauma-Related Ear Deformities
Ear deformities can also be trauma-based. Some of these deformities include:
- Ear Keloids – These are fibrous nodules that form on the ear when a person undergoes a minor trauma such as ear piercing. The nodules are painful and sometimes become itchy. Also, they can grow in size, leading to a visible external deformation on the affected person’s ears.
- Split Earlobes – This deformity can result from a traumatic injury that leads to a splitting of the earlobes. The deformation can also result from regular wearing of heavy earrings or when someone forcefully pulls earrings off the ear.
How to Correct Ear Deformities
Undeniably deformed ears can be tough to live with, especially for children.
When your kid suffers from a dispositional ear, they may feel uneasy when interacting with their playmates. Fortunately, there are ways to correct these abnormal ear shapes, and these methods are both non-surgical and surgical.
Non-Surgical Interventions for Deformed Ears
Non-surgical treatments are useful in dealing with folding related deformities such as stick out, protruding, and other ear deformities.
This treatment strategy uses ear modeling. Surgeons utilize custom devices that help mold the ear shape back to normal or to position the ears proportionally. Usually, the process takes between 1-3 weeks. This approach works best for infants at their earlier ages and has a success rate of 90%.
Surgical Interventions
At times, the ear deformity might not improve through non-surgical techniques, particularly in older children. In such cases, you will need to opt for surgical interventions, and these techniques include:
Plastic/Reconstructive Surgery
This approach involves building the ear’s shape through comprehensive reconstruction procedures.
It is a common intervention for treating Microtia. Surgeons use cartilage cut from the patient’s ribs to reform the ear. Also, a patient can get an artificial ear built using a synthetic material. Since it requires the use of anesthesia, it is only suitable for children aged between 3-5 years.
Otoplasty
This surgical procedure uses permanent stitches to reshape the child’s ears.
The surgeon places stitches on a hidden scar behind the patient’s ears. Unlike plastic surgery, otoplasty is an outpatient procedure, and the patient does not require hospital admission.
Also, children requiring this procedure should get it done when they’re young, and just before their ear growth is complete. However, otoplasty is also useful in correcting ear deformities in adults.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve demonstrated, there are several types of ear deformities and equally numerous options to correct them.
If you have a deformity that requires otoplasty, Soma Plastics is here to help you. Our surgeons perform otoplasty surgery for children and adults seeking to rebuild their self-confidence and remove the shame that often accompanies these conditions.
We provide the safest and high-quality surgical care to every otoplasty patient. Our objective is to make sure that your otoplasty surgery is successful, guaranteeing a quick recovery.
Reach out to us by calling 855-SOMA-855 or book a consultation on our website today.
