Otoplasty, pinning back of the ears closer to the head, is becoming a more popular aesthetic procedure, especially since Dr. Romo designed a surgical technique that results in a more exacting result.

The standard otoplasty technique begins by cutting out a portion of skin behind the ear and then suturing back the cartilage in a partially blind technique. When the wound behind the ear is closed, because it was made before the cartilage was set, over-closure of the ear can occur. This results in an otoplasty too close to the head, or flaring of the top and bottom of the ear, which is known as a telephone deformity.

Dr. Romo designed his very successful technique of otoplasty that utilizes a skin flap behind the ear. This approach allows for complete exposure of the ear cartilage for needed set-back procedures. At the time of skin closure, the extra, unneeded skin is redraped and exactingly removed, allowing for a tension free closure with no change in the postoperative ear shape.

• Click here to see before & after photos