Drooping ears are a problem that affects approximately 5% of the population. Many adults and children feel self-conscious about their ears and wish to address the issue.
DROOPING EARS: THE ORIGINS OF THE PROBLEM
In the majority of cases, drooping ears are hereditary and thus caused by a genetic issue. This problem is present in the child from birth, but it may take several years before it becomes visible. Indeed, the ears grow simultaneously with the child and reach their final size around the age of 7.
This ear anomaly is never caused by the position in which the child places their head during sleep or by tucking their hair behind their ears. It is a congenital anomaly inherited from parents.
Drooping ears appear due to an abnormality in the positioning of the cartilage of the ear’s pinna. Three main anomalies are responsible for ear drooping:
- Helix valgus: an excessive angle between the skull and the ear’s pinna
- Conchal hypertrophy: excessive development of the conchal cartilage, projecting the ear forward
- Lack of anthelix folding: the ear has a too-smooth appearance due to a lack of relief in the cartilage
The two most common anomalies are the lack of anthelix folding and conchal hypertrophy. Patients may have a single drooping ear, both ears drooping with the same defects, or different anomalies for each ear.
In all cases, these external ear anomalies can only be treated surgically through cosmetic surgery for drooping ears, also known as otoplasty.
EAR PINNING SURGERY: OTOPLASTY
To address drooping ears, aesthetic surgeons use otoplasty with sutures. This technique allows for discreet “pinning” of the ears through a small incision behind the ear.
The procedure is performed in the operating room, under local or general anesthesia for adults, and under general anesthesia for children. The aesthetic surgeon will recreate the natural folds and contours of the ears using sutures.
This operation is particularly recommended in two cases:
- When the earlobe is projecting forward
- In case of conchal hypertrophy
The results of the drooping ear surgery are immediately visible and long-lasting.
A new minimally invasive method to correct drooping ears has been used in recent years: the Earfold implant. This small implant is placed directly on the ear cartilage, beneath the skin. It helps correct slightly drooping ears.
