07 Jan Sail ears: At what age should ears be pinned?

Many children have taken the Disney film about Dumbo, the little elephant who could fly with his huge floppy ears, to their hearts. But sometimes they transfer their amusement about the big ears to their schoolmates. Protruding ears (also known as sail ears) can lead to more and more teasing as children get older. To protect their children from insults, ridicule, malice and psychological pressure, many parents consider having their child's ears surgically pinned back. In this article, we provide you with information on the topic Earmould Frankfurt and inform you about the age at which the procedure makes sense.

What are sail ears?

If there is an angle of more than 30 degrees between the auricle and the skull bone or if the distance between the edge of the ear and the head is more than 2.8 cm, this is colloquially referred to as sail ears.

The cause of the ear protruding so far is usually a malformation. Very often, the inner fold of the ear (anthelix fold) is barely formed or not formed at all. Another possibility is that the pinna is conchoidal or too large. It holds the ear away from the head and causes the earlobe to protrude.

In most cases, protruding ears are genetic and a quasi-whim of nature.

Otopexy: At what age?

The procedure in which the ears are pinned back has several names: Ear correction, ear pinning surgery or also Otopexy.

In principle, the operation can be performed from the age of four, but preferably six. At this age, the cartilage has already reached around 70-90 per cent of its final size and is firm enough.

However, it is important that you do not make a decision over your child's head - just to protect them from teasing that may not (yet) exist. In any case, you should take the child's wishes into account when deciding in favour of or against an ear correction. It is neither ethically justifiable nor legally permissible to perform this surgical procedure on a child who is not suffering. Psychologists advise that the ears should only be removed if the child consciously and clearly wants the operation.

The procedure does not necessarily have to be carried out in childhood. Sclerotic ears can also be treated in adolescence or later. There is no upper age limit.

Ear pinning: How does the procedure work?

Ear correction is usually performed under anaesthetic. Only minor corrections can also be carried out under local anaesthetic. During the operation, which lasts around one and a half to two hours, the ear cartilage is shaped so that the ear no longer protrudes so far from the head. The aim is to achieve an attractive, natural-looking result.

We use a modern, particularly tissue-sparing technique (modified suture method). The correction is made with a high-speed diamond drill through a small incision behind the ear that is no longer visible after the procedure. Self-dissolving sutures are pulled through the cartilage skin to create the shape. The desired result is then fixed. The stitches dissolve by themselves after about two to three months. Scarring of the cartilage skin stabilises the result.

Earmould Frankfurt

ENT doctor FrankfurtProtruding ears are not a flaw - they can even be seen as a trademark. However, if you or your child are bothered by prominent ears, please contact us with confidence. With us, you can be sure that you are always in the best hands.

Your otoplasty Frankfurt

If you would like a consultation on the subject of "sail ears" and "ear pinning", please make an appointment with us.

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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