Ear Correction Australia (Otoplasty) Sydney
Contact us to find out moreProminent ears are one of the most common congenital anomalies that people desire to treat through otoplasty. For example, people may be concerned about ears being too large, prominent, or otherwise disproportionate with other facial characteristics.
Dr Zurek has serviced patients needing ear correction otoplasty surgery all around Sydney, Australia, and the world, but particularly the areas of Canterbury, Cronulla, Darlinghurst, Double Bay, Kogarah, Miranda, Paddington, Woollahra and the Eastern Suburbs.
For an advanced, no-incision ear correction otoplasty or ‘ear pinning’ surgery, Dr Zurek developed a technique that would serve as a minimally invasive option to alternative procedures. NIO™ otoplasty (No-Incision Otoplasty™) can achieve similar outcomes as a traditional otoplasty, but without the need for incisions.
Otoplasty Before and After
The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
The Ear Correction (Otoplasty) Procedure
What is Otoplasty?
The surgical correction of prominent ears was first reported in 1845, and since then, over 200 techniques have been reported with varying results. The current trend is to minimise intervention, therefore keeping it simple, reducing downtime and lowering the risk of complications such as visible scarring.
The traditional approach to ear correction was challenged in early 1990. It was shown that ear correction could be successfully accomplished without cutting to open the front and back of the ear, cutting the cartilage or removing skin from the back of the ear. Long term postoperative bandages and headbands were also found to be unnecessary in most cases.
No-Incision Otoplasty™is a procedure that uses less invasive techniques than traditional otoplasty in the correction of protruding (“bat”) ears. Introduced to Australia in 2004 by Dr Longin Zurek, it has undergone many refinements.
What to expect
Dr Zurek performs the No-Incision Otoplasty™ procedure under local anaesthetic and oral sedation (if required). It takes about one hour to complete. No cutting or incision is required, as special sutures are placed under the skin though punctures. The sutures remain permanently under the skin. In essence, it is an example of a minimally-invasive procedure where the suture technique (Mustarde-type suture) commonly used in surgical ear correction (otoplasty) for almost 60 years is applied without incision.
During your initial consultation, the procedure steps will be discussed in detail, so that you will know what to expect. The steps of the procedure are tailored to the needs of the individual, and will depend on the condition of your ears, as well as your goals for the results of the procedure.
Am I a suitable candidate?
As a general rule, it is considered preferable that ear correction surgery (otoplasty) should not be performed on patients who are under six years old, because by this age the ear reaches 80% adult size. Dr Zurek prefers to perform the procedure later in life when the child will cooperate during treatment and the procedure can be performed under local instead of general anaesthesia.
Otoplasty Recovery and Results
The results are immediate, however there may be some discomfort and other side effects after the procedure. Also, it takes many months/ years for the ear cartilage to become permanently remodelled. This means that it may take a while to see the final outcome. Patients can expect some bruising, swelling and tenderness after their procedure. This can be managed with pain relief medication.
No bandages are necessary as there is practically no risk of haematoma, however, we recommend wearing a headband at night for two weeks to protect the ears against twisting while you are sleeping.
It is advisable to avoid strenuous exercise for one to two weeks after No-Incision Otoplasty™. To protect your ears after the procedure, you should avoid contact sports that can cause trauma to the ear for three to six months.
Since the procedure is associated with very short downtime, most patients are able to return to work after a couple of days. This may vary, though, depending on the progress of your healing and the type of work you do.
In general, after several months the cartilage is expected to develop a ‘spring memory’ of the newly created anti helical fold, which will encourage the ears to remain in their new position. As there is no skin incision made, there is no risk of scarring. The suture material used is clear and non-absorbable, which remains under the skin and is not removed unless there is some complication.
In order to minimise the chance of complications, you should follow any recovery instructions provided to you by your surgeon.
Otoplasty Ear Correction Surgery Costs in Sydney
The costs of a No-Incision Otoplasty™ by Dr Zurek in Sydney are determined on application.
The approximate fee for No-Incision Otoplasty™ is $4,900 (for both ears) and $3,550 (for one ear only) including GST.
An in person consultation with Dr Zurek is necessary to confirm the cost of your No-Incision Otoplasty™.
- What does the fee cover?
The fee includes the procedure room, medications, GST and any adjustments if required. If you are weighing your options for otoplasty surgery, you should consider the level of experience of the surgeon. Dr Longin Zurek is a qualified and experienced ear surgeon who has a special interest in minimally invasive otoplasty techniques.
To find out the costs of your incisionless ear pinning procedure, contact us and book your consultation today.
NIO Otoplasty Ear Surgery Videos
Dr Zurek performs the procedure under local anaesthetic and oral sedation. It takes about 1 hour to complete. No cutting is required as special sutures are “woven” into the ear under the skin though small punctures; the sutures remain permanently and are typically not visible or palpable after a short healing time. This means there is a low risk of scarring. It is recommended to wear a tennis-style headband in bed for 1-2 weeks.
Many patients return to work after a couple of days. As a general rule, it is considered preferable that ear correction otoplasty surgery should not be performed under 6 years old, because by this age the ear reaches 80% adult size. Dr Zurek prefers to perform the procedure later in life when the child will cooperate during treatment and the procedure can be performed under local instead of general anaesthesia.
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NON-SURGICAL EAR CORRECTION PROCEDURE
About Dr Zurek – Otoplasty Surgeon in Sydney
The first ear correction (otoplasty) without incision in Australia was performed by Dr Longin Zurek in 2004 and for the next decade was the only cosmetic surgeon offering this procedure in this country. He is amongst a handful of cosmetic surgeons in the world (and the only one in Australia) with almost two decades of experience with non surgical ear correction (otoplasty).
Having performed a number of surgical otoplasty procedures, Dr. Zurek realised that the traditional surgical intervention was not necessary to alter the position of protruding ears. Therefore, he replaced the surgical otoplasty with this new minimally invasive procedure.
Dr Zurek developed the technique of the no-incision otoplasty into an advanced and refined procedure, called No-Incision Otoplasty™, which he presented at a number of cosmetic conferences in Australia, Asia, Europe and South America. He has also written and published several articles on his otoplasty technique in the Australian Cosmetic Surgery Magazine since 2005.
Initially, the no-incisional otoplasty was performed mostly on children with severely protruding (bat) ears but gradually Dr Zurek adapted his technique to all patients with a degree of prominent ears. In Dr. Zurek’s opinion, almost all patients with prominent ears can be corrected with his technique.
Other significant contributions from Dr. Zurek to the field of cosmetic surgery include:
- – S-Lift (Face Lift) in 1998
- – AGE Filaments™ in 2001
- – State of the art Micro-Fat Grafting
- – Many more
Otoplasty Complications and Risks
Although No-Incision Otoplasty™ is a minimally invasive procedure, there are always risks associated with any type of surgery. The most important advantage of No-Incision Otoplasty™ is practically eliminating the serious risk associated with conventional surgical otoplasty of abnormal scarring (hypertrophic scar or keloid) and haematoma which could lead to irreversible ear deformity (cauliflower ear).
Other possible complications are similar to conventional otoplasty and include anaesthesia risks, infection of the skin and cartilage and suture exposure. There is also a risk of asymmetry and unsatisfying results. Infections may be addressed with antibiotics, while other complications may need revision surgery or further medical treatment.
While many patients find that the procedure has given them their desired ear shape or projection, outcomes are not the same for everyone. It is always a good idea to consider the risks. During your consultation, you can discuss the risks associated with the procedure so that you can weigh up the pros and cons of undergoing the surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best age for otoplasty?
No-Incision Otoplasty™ should not be performed on children under six years of age, as the ear will need to have grown to about 80% adult size. Generally, older patients are preferred as younger children may struggle to cooperate with having the procedure under local anaesthetic as opposed to general anaesthesia.
In general, your suitability for the procedure will be determined during your in person consultation.
Is it possible to undergo otoplasty for one ear only?
You may be able to have the procedure for one year only, depending on the characteristics of your ears and your goals for surgery. Overall, the procedure should improve the symmetry of your ears. In some cases, No-Incision Otoplasty™ may only be necessary for one ear, while in other cases it may be necessary to treat both ears to improve symmetry, even if one ear is noticeably different from the other. The details of your procedure, as well as your eligibility, can be determined during your consultation.
Is otoplasty permanent?
In many cases, the results are long lasting to permanent as the cartilage develops a new ‘spring memory’ of the newly introduced anti helical fold after several months following the procedure. However, the longevity of results can vary and there is a risk for the need of further surgery.
Can I expect to be left with any scarring?
There should not be visible scarring after No-Incision Otoplasty™, as there is no cutting, only skin punctures.
Can I still have ear piercings after the procedure?
If done under clean and sterile conditions, and in appropriate sites on the ear – there should be no issue with ear piercings post-procedure.
Can I play sports or do any other exercise after otoplasty?
Contact sports that involve or have the potential to involve direct trauma to the ears (e.g. rugby or boxing) is advised against in the first three to six months. All other sports, training and strenuous exercise can generally be resumed after about one to two weeks post procedure.
Read Articles about Advanced S-Lift
(including many before and after images, click to open)
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Cosmetic Surgery & Beauty Magazine #73– The No Incision Ear Correction Changing Children’s Lives |
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Cosmetic Surgery Magazine #52 – Scarless Ear Correction |
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Cosmetic Surgery Magazine #47 – Correcting Prominent Ears |
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Cosmetic Surgery Magazine #44 – Ear Correction |
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Cosmetic Surgery Magazine #35 – Elegant Ears |
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Cosmetic Surgery Magazine #32 – Correcting Ears |