Will Temporal Reduction Surgery Effect Prior Otoplasties?

Q: Dr. Eppley, About temporal reduction surgery. I checked some images on your website about the temporal reduction and saw that the ears get extremely bent for 180 degrees during the surgery. This could be a big problem because I had both ears set back a couple of times and especially the left ear took 6 surgeries until it was more or less OK and closer to the head. I’m afraid that this method could tear something in the ear apart so that they protrude again. Could you give me some more information about this please.

A: That is an understandable concern but not on in which has occurred even in patients with prior otoplasties. That being said one way to limit that concern is to move the incision a bit away from the depth of the postauricular sulcus out more behind the shadow of the helical rim.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana