As a Craniofacial surgeon and Adult and Pediatric Specialist, Dr. Costa has years of experience in ear reshaping, non-surgical ear molding, and ear reconstruction. Patients come to Dr. Costa seeking help for congenital deformities such as microtia, reconstruction after trauma and cancer, as well as protruding ears, misshapen ears, ear lobe repair, and ear reduction.
Procedures Include
Auricular Remnants (Ear tags)
Pretragal remnants, or chondrocutaneous remnants, are excess skin and/or cartilage that appear typically in front of the ear or on the cheek. Sometimes referred to as ear tags, or branchial cleft remnants, or an accessory tragus, these remnants are present at birth. They will not go away on their own. Once removed, auricular remnants do not come back.
Cleft Ear Repair
Description goes here
Ear Molding (Non-Surgical)
For infants with congenital malformations of the ear, neonatal ear molding techniques can gently reshape the ear. Treatment should begin early, ideally within the first week of birth. Treatment systems are a custom orthodontic clay technique which is effective for more deformations. For more severe deformation, the EAR WELL system may be preferred.
Microtia (small ear) is a deformity acquired while a baby is developing in the womb; it is usually not hereditary. In most cases, only one ear is affected (unilateral microtia) but in about 10 percent of cases, both ears are affected (bilateral microtia).
Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping), can improve the shape, size, position or proportion of the ear. A difference in the ear structure that is present at birth or that becomes apparent with development can be corrected with otoplasty. Otoplasty can also treat misshapen ears caused by injury. Otoplasty creates a more natural shape while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem. If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery.
Trauma Repair of Earlobe Deformities
Earlobe deformities can include a cleft earlobe, an earlobe remnant or tab, and earlobe duplication. These are rare congenital conditions. Treatment of these earlobe deformities is surgical and they can be repaired as an outpatient procedure. Depending on the age of your child, repair may be done as an in-office procedure or in the operating room. An earlobe remnant may be able to be removed in off under local anesthesia in very early infancy.