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People don’t often notice a well-shaped ear, but they will notice an abnormally shaped ear. There are different factors that can make an ear appear misshapen, including being present at birth or as a result of trauma to the area. Ears may appear too large or too small, or one may not match the size and shape of the other. At times, part of an ear is missing or they protrude too far away from the head. Sometimes, especially for children, these irregularities can lead to teasing or low self-esteem. These are all reasons why people choose to get ear enhancement surgery in Maryland and Virginia with the otoplasty experts of Cosmetic Surgery Associates.
Call Cosmetic Surgery Associates today to set up a consultation with Dr. Richards, Dr. Jabs, or Dr. Magge and find out more about the potential benefits of otoplasty. Our office is located 16.1 miles from Arlington, VA and 8.3 miles away from Silver Spring, MD.
Recovery:
5-7 Days
Cost:
Starts at $9K+
Results:
3 Months
What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty, otherwise known as ear surgery or ear enhancement, is usually performed to correct the appearance of misshapen ears. It is also sometimes called ear pinning because it can work to realign ears that protrude too far away from the head. Some otoplasty techniques include adding or removing cartilage to sculpt an ear or pulling back protruding ears by suturing. The goal of otoplasty is to restore harmony, symmetry, and proportion to ears in relation to the rest of the face and visage.The procedure can be performed as early as age five and can be done under local anesthesia. Ears are almost fully grown by the age of five, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing, and ridicule a child will have to endure. But, ear setback procedures are also commonly performed on adults. Patients report renewed confidence and self-assurance after choosing to undergo ear surgery.
Conditions Ear Surgery Can Address
- Overly large ears
- Very small ears
- Constricted ear: The top portion of the ear (pinna) didn’t fully form and is in turn constricted.
- Asymmetrical ears
- Protruding ears: Ears projected abnormally far from the head.
- Cryptotic ears: The naturally protruding rim of the ear is concealed under the skin.
Otoplasty may be a good procedure for non-smokers who have large, protruding, or misshapen ears.
Ideal Candidates
Otoplasty can be performed on both children and adults with fully developed ears. For children, by undergoing otoplasty at a young age, children avoid years of teasing or bullying that can arise from having ears that look different from other children.
Otoplasty is a viable surgical procedure for candidates who were born with irregularly shaped ears. However, some candidates come to us with ears that have been disfigured due to trauma or previous surgery. Each doctor works closely with their patients to determine the best procedure or technique for their specific case.
As with any surgery, the patient should be in good health and have the ability to heal properly. They should also have realistic expectations for the procedure. We recommend viewing some of our before and after photos of other otoplasty patients in order to get a reasonable understanding of what can be accomplished, although results differ for each individual.
Procedure
Otoplasty is an outpatient operation typically performed under local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia. This choice will depend on the extent of the operation to be performed and the patient’s personal comfort. The entire procedure typically takes about two to three hours.
Most incisions for otoplasty are made behind the ear where the resulting scars will not be visible. From this placement, the surgeon will be able to remove the necessary amount of cartilage to reduce the projection of the ear from the head. In some particular cases, an incision may be necessary for the front of the ear. These incisions will be hidden in the natural folds of the ear to minimize scarring.
Techniques
There are various techniques for reshaping, repositioning, and resizing the ear at our surgeons’ disposal. Depending on the individual case, one or more of the following techniques may be utilized.
Ear Augmentation
In cases where a patient’s ear is either too small or part is missing, ear augmentation may be the preferred approach. This involves harvesting cartilage from another part of the body, such as the other ear or the rib. Then, this cartilage would be grafted onto the parts of the ear to be built. The results look very natural once healed.
Ear Reduction
For patients who have ears that are too large, an ear reduction technique will be employed. In this procedure, the doctor will create small incisions in the appropriate places and remove excess tissue or cartilage. They will sculpt the ear to acquire the desired, proportional shape and suture the incisions.
Ear Pin Back
An ear pin back is specially designed for ears that protrude too far from the skull. Using an incision on the back of the ear in the natural crease, the surgeon will remove excess skin or cartilage. Then, they will use sutures to keep the ear in a more desirable, pinned back location. In some cases, these sutures may be permanent.
Exterior Ear Fold Manipulation
In cases where the outer upper ear fold has not formed properly, the surgeon will utilize one of three techniques.
- Suturing: Sutures will create tension and help fold the upper ear back into a proper position.
- Abrasion: By applying rough pressure and texture to the upper ear, the fold will begin to naturally bend away from the abrasion into a more desirable position.
- Incisions: Horizontal incisions are made running along the inside of the upper ear fold. Then, tubing sutures are placed along these incisions to create the appearance of a natural bend.
Conchal Alteration
In order to manipulate the appearance of the concha, or middle of the inner ear, there are two techniques at our disposal. In some cases, a combination of these two techniques may be most efficient.
- Sutures: Sutures can create tension to decrease the protrusion of the concha.
- Conchal Excision: This involves removing a part of the concha from the inner ear to reduce height. It can then be reused to add height to the upper ear, if necessary.
Consultation
During the initial consultation, one of our doctors will discuss the patient’s current concerns with their ears to find out what they hope to achieve from an otoplasty procedure. The doctor will also ask about any medications the patient currently takes, the medical conditions they have, or previous surgeries they have undergone. Finally, an examination of the ears will be conducted in order to determine whether or not the patient is a good candidate for otoplasty.
If they are a good candidate, then a custom procedure plan will be drafted for the patient depending on the specifics of their case and a surgery date will be scheduled. Our doctors and experienced staff will go over the procedure, preparation, and recovery in detail. At this time, they will also be able to provide a more accurate cost estimate.
At Cosmetic Surgery Associates, we aim to make every patient feel as comfortable as possible. Please feel free to ask any questions regarding the procedure or about other procedures that are of interest. Call us today at our Bethesda location or contact us through our online form to get started.
Keshav Magge, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Honored as a Top Doctor by Bethesda Magazine and Washingtonian in both 2024 and 2025, Dr. Magge is recognized for his exceptional surgical skill, artistic precision, and patient-centered approach. A leading plastic surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland, he completed a fellowship in Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he gained advanced expertise in facial rejuvenation and aesthetic surgery innovations.
Meet Dr. Magge
A. Dean Jabs, MD, PhD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Jabs is an award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeon recognized nationally for his expertise in creating natural-looking results and his warm, compassionate approach to patient care. Trained in NY at Columbia University, he served in the US Army and has special expertise in facial rejuvenation. He has over 35 years of experience and has consistently been voted a top plastic surgeon by Washingtonian and Bethesda magazine.
Meet Dr. Jabs
Franklin D. Richards, MD, FACS
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richards has been recognized as a Top Doctor by several prestigious organizations, including Castle Connolly, Consumers’ Research Council of America, and Washingtonian magazine. A leading plastic surgeon in Bethesda, Maryland, Dr. Richards is the past Chief of Plastic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Suburban Hospital. His expertise is in achieving natural results in facelift and eyelid surgery, with additional interests in cosmetic surgery of the breast and abdomen.
Meet Dr. Richards
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The staff was amazing and made me feel comfortable every step of the way.
Get it DONE! The staff was amazing and made me feel comfortable every step of the way. My results are amazing, and I conquered the biggest hurdle in this journey - picking the correct Doctor and team. No regrets. Thank you, CSA.
– verified patient
I have been going to CSA for over a year, and it’s always such a nice visit.
I have been going to CSA for over a year, and it's always such a nice visit. Super professional, and I always feel taken care of.
– verified patient
I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND COSMETIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES.
I had such an amazing overall experience at Cosmetic Surgery Associates. The staff is very pleasant. I had my first invasive cosmetic procedure done back in September, and the final results are amazing. I LOVE IT. I'm so much happier with my body now. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Prior to my surgery, I had been thinking about this for a while, and I'm so happy I made the decision to go through with it. I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND COSMETIC SURGERY ASSOCIATES. HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
– verified patient
Their equipment, skill level, and expertise are superb.
This practice is truly outstanding! Their equipment, skill level, and expertise are superb. The staff is extremely friendly, kind, and professional; they make you feel comfortable as soon as you walk in the door.
– verified patient
Every single person in their office makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable the moment you step into the office.
Every single person in their office makes you feel so welcomed and comfortable the moment you step into the office. The day of my surgery, the staff took amazing care of me and went above and beyond to calm my nerves, talk me through it, and made it such a great experience. I highly recommend this office. I can't thank them enough for all that they did for me!
– verified patient
My experience there was beyond 5 stars.
My experience there was beyond 5 stars. From taking the appointment to post surgery. Even now after 10 months, the follow ups are outstanding. The whole staff took great care of me and the results are what I expected. Thank you for everything. Don't think twice and use this clinic if you want best in class service and the best result.
– verified patient
All of the staff were highly knowledgeable, and I received consistent direction and guidance from all of the staff.
Literally every staff member I interacted with from the front desk down to the surgical team gave stellar customer service and truly made me feel comfortable. My sister even felt the warm energy from the staff after meeting them the morning of surgery. All of the staff were highly knowledgeable, and I received consistent direction and guidance from all of the staff. I would highly recommend Cosmetic Surgery Associates to anyone seeking a cosmetic procedure!
– verified patient
I can’t stress enough how great this whole experience has been.
I can't stress enough how great this whole experience has been. Not only did he make me feel comfortable in my body, but 10x more confident. His work is truly beautiful. 100% recommend!!
– verified patient
I feel very comfortable and look better in my clothes.
The staff are professional, caring, and pay attention to detail. Almost 10 months post op. The results exceeded my expectations. I feel very comfortable and look better in my clothes. I'm so grateful. I highly recommend this practice.
– verified patient
The staff was wonderful, respectful, accommodating, and very knowledgeable!
The staff was wonderful, respectful, accommodating, and very knowledgeable! The facility was very clean and one of the staff members helped me work the coffee machine for a fresh cup of coffee!
– verified patient
Patient Photos
View our gallery to see photographs of real patient results at Cosmetic Surgery Associates.
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