Discover Confidence with an Ear Surgery Specialist in Dallas
Award-winning plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Derderian specializes in ear reduction and otoplasty, helping both adults and children achieve natural-looking results with precision and care.
Ear Surgery - What you need to know
When it comes to enhancing the appearance of the ears, two primary concerns often lead patients to seek cosmetic surgery: prominent ears that stick out too far and disproportionately large ears, known as macrotia.
These issues can draw unwanted attention, teasing in children, and generally make individuals feel self-conscious about their appearance. Achieving the best results begins with accurately diagnosing which features of the ears are causing that “eye-catching” effect—whether it's prominence, size, or a combination of both. Selecting the right surgical approach is crucial for creating a natural, balanced look that restores confidence and prevents further discomfort.
For this reason, it is important to see an experienced surgeon who performs these procedures frequently. The ears need to have a natural appearance after surgery, otherwise the patient will still feel self-conscious about their ears. Far too often, patients who have had an otoplasty performed in the past remain unhappy with the appearance of their ears because what they really needed was an ear reduction procedure. This page will detail the features of prominent ears and macrotia to help you determine which surgery may be best for your concerns.
Prominent Ears
Prominent ears are present when the ears stick out too far, which makes the ears eye-catching. Two common causes of ear prominence are an underdeveloped antihelical fold and excess projection of conchal cartilage. The antihelical fold is a natural ridge that curves along the outer ear parallel to the helical rim (see adjacent labeled images). When this fold is less sharp than normal or absent, the helical rim (outer portion of the ears) will stick out more than usual.
Conchal cartilage, on the other hand, refers to the central bowl-shaped part of the ear. When this cartilage is excessively large or protrudes outward, it pushes the entire ear out and forward, contributing to an overall prominent appearance. In most cases, both factors—an underdeveloped antihelical fold and a prominent conchal bowl—combine to create the appearance of prominent ears. Correcting ear prominence requires careful surgical assessment and technique to address the specific anatomical causes and achieve a natural, harmonious result.
Large Ears and Ear Reduction
When the ears are disproportionately large, termed Macrotia, the ears may have some prominent features in addition to the large size of the ears. Some patients may have a “normal sized” ear that has focal excess cartilage in the part of the ear called the scapha, that can give the ear a prominent appearance also. Cases of macrotia and/or focal areas of excess scaphal cartilage are much less common than prominent ears. Patients will frequently seek otoplasty when they see prominent features of their ears that are caused by excess size and /or excess cartilage in the ear, because most of the information available about cosmetic surgery of the ears is completely focused on otoplasty. Similarly, many surgeons are not experienced with ear reduction surgery and the only ear surgery that they perform is otoplasty. In this scenario, when a patient presents with macrotia or focal excess cartilage the inexperienced surgeon will mistakenly perform an otoplasty that may change the projection of the ears, but the appearance of the ears will remain. I present this scenario, because about 30% of the patients that I perform ear reduction surgery on have had an otoplasty on the past and remained unhappy with their ears. Ideally, the correct procedure will be selected and only one surgery will be needed to help patients achieve their goals.
The adjacent case illustrates a patient who has focal excess scaphal cartilage. The excess scaphal cartilage is angled away from the head causing the helical rim to stick out away from the head making the ear appear prominent. The excess scaphal cartilage was removed with ear reduction surgery only (no maneuvers related to otoplasty) and the result is a smaller ear and the prominent excess projection of the helical rim is corrected.
The primary cause of large ears is often an excess in the size of the scapha, the long, flat portion of the upper ear between the antihelix and helix. When the scapha is overly developed, it increases the height and width of the ear, creating a proportionally larger appearance that is not fully corrected by simply pinning the ears back.
In cases where ear size is the main concern, an ear reduction procedure—targeting the height and width of the scapha and other structures—is the appropriate surgical solution. Understanding this distinction is essential for patients seeking the right treatment and for surgeons to deliver results that truly align with the patient’s aesthetic goals.
Comparing Otoplasty vs. Ear Reduction Surgery
Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)
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Purpose: To reshape or reposition the ears closer to the head, reducing prominence.
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Ideal for: Individuals with protruding ears or structural irregularities.
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Procedure: Typically performed on both ears for symmetrical results.
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Recovery Time: Quick recovery with minimal downtime—most patients are back to their routines within days.
Ear Reduction Surgery
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Purpose: To reduce the size of overly large ears or earlobes for a more balanced look.
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Ideal for: Patients who feel their ears are too large in proportion to their face.
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Procedure: Focused on reshaping the cartilage for a natural, refined appearance.
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Recovery Time: Slightly longer than otoplasty, with results that last a lifetime
| Feature | Otoplasty | Ear Reduction Surgery |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Reduce ear prominence | Reduce ear size |
| Ideal For | Protruding or uneven ears | Overly large ears or lobes |
| Recovery | Quick, minimal downtime | Slightly longer recovery |
| Typical Age | Children (5+) & Adults | Adults primarily |
Dr. Derderian - Dallas's Ear Surgery Specialist
Dr. Derderian is an award-winning plastic surgeon based in Dallas, known for his precision and patient-centered care. With years of experience in ear surgeries, he combines technical skill with an artistic eye to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results. His commitment to patient safety and satisfaction sets him apart as a leader in his field.
Patients consistently praise Dr. Derderian for his compassionate approach and exceptional outcomes. When you choose Dr. Derderian, you’re choosing a surgeon who values your confidence and comfort above all else.
Real Patient Reviews
Dr. Derderian
MD | Double Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Christopher A. Derderian, M.D. is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in otoplasty, ear reduction and cosmetic surgery of the face in Dallas, TX. He was an associate professor of plastic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Children’s Health in Dallas, from 2011-2022. He continues to care for both children and adults in his private practice in Dallas.
In his adult practice, Dr. Derderian performs both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face including ear reduction, rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, septoplasty, adult cleft rhinoplasty, adult cleft lip revision and otoplasty. His pediatric plastic surgery practice focuses on cleft lip repair, cleft lip revision, otoplasty, constricted ear repair, scar revision and removal of moles and other skin lesions. He has been named one of the best plastic surgeons in Dallas by D Magazine annually since 2015.
Dr. Derderian strives for perfection in every surgery, taking a customized approach to all patients and their concerns. With over a decade of experience performing cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries of the face, his experience has given him a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between the skin and soft tissues of the face and the underlying facial bones and how these relationships affect appearance.
Perhaps no procedures epitomizes the synergy of his experience in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery than cleft rhinoplasty and cleft lip revision. Dr. Derderian draws on his proficiency with rhinoplasty, septoplasty, cleft lip repair, augmentation of the facial bones, soft tissue augmentation and scar management to help correct the stigmatizing features of the lip and nose caused by cleft lip. Dr. Derderian’s results speak for themselves, drawing patients from across the U.S. and the world.
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Request a consultation with Dr. Derderian, and one of our team members will guide you through your customized transformation plan. You deserve your perfect nose, start your transformation today.
4131 North Central Expressway, Ste 448 Dallas, TX, 75204 - (888) 272-1150
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Now Accepting Care Credit
Dr. Derderian is now accepting CareCredit. With 30+ years of experience, CareCredit® offers dependable financing for Aesthetic procedures like otoplasty and ear reduction as well as, teeth cleaning, dermatology, aesthetic procedures, and more.
Dr. Derderian
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
4131 North Central Expressway, Suite 448 Dallas, TX, 75204
888-272-1150
