For individuals lucky enough to be born without congenital defects to the ears and nose, we rarely think about how much these functional organs contribute to our appearance. Yet individuals who have lived their lives with a birth defect or who have suffered a devastating accident, trauma, or illness to these critical organs know all-too-well how important these organs are for maintaining a “normal”, harmonious, and beautiful appearance. Whether a nose or ear has been crushed or severed, is partially or completely missing, or does not provide clear airways (in the case of the nose), the results are both physically and psychologically distressing.
Advanced ear and nose reconstruction can heal the damage from an injury, restore function to a malformed or injured facial feature, and provide an attractive and aesthetically appealing appearance, blended harmoniously with the rest of the face. Dr. James Black, a board-certified cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon and Dr. Michael Arnstein, a skilled reconstructive surgeon, have years of experience performing advanced facial reconstruction utilizing cutting-edge surgical techniques at their Torrance, California practice. Because successful reconstruction results depend so heavily on each patient’s unique facial contours and anatomical structures, every reconstruction is just as unique. Dr. Black and Dr. Arnstein will work closely with you to develop a customized surgical plan designed to enhance your natural beauty and restore the balance and harmony of your appearance!
Advanced Nasal Reconstructions
Although nose surgery, or rhinoplasty, is quite commonly performed for cosmetic reasons, it can also be used to treat severe dysfunction, congenital defects, or injuries in which the nose must be partially or fully reconstructed. A thorough evaluation of both functional and aesthetic needs is necessary to determine an appropriate treatment plan, which may include reconstruction of the nostrils, supporting cartilage, and/or airway function of the nose.
Nasal reconstructions often require advanced grafting techniques utilizing bone, cartilage, skin, and other tissues taken from the patient’s own body. Because the nose is such a prominent feature of the face, it is critical to create a nasal structure that blends harmoniously with the rest of the facial contours and select skin that blends naturally with facial skin. For this reason, a flap of skin from the forehead is often used to reconstruct the nose because it will match in terms of color and texture, and often has good vascularization. Cartilage from the ears can also be used to form cartilage grafts, depending on the extent of the region to be reconstructed.
Advanced Ear Reconstructions
Let’s face it: ears have a pretty funny but surprisingly complicated shape, so repairing a damaged or malformed ear requires precision and a strong sense of artistic proportion to ensure that the final results look natural. Your unique surgical plan will depend heavily on the extent of damage or injury, the vascular health and availability of good blood flow to the region, and the availability of excess skin to cover the reconstructed area. In cases where there is insufficient tissue and skin to form the new ear, a graft from a donor site on the patient’s own body may be required.
Successful ear reconstruction involves precise and extremely careful technique in order to maintain a size and shape balance between the new ear and the existing ear and ensure a pleasing aesthetic appearance to the new ear. In many cases, the ear must be re-shaped to a proportional aspect using localized cartilage and soft tissue, thus reducing the overall size of the ear. Fortunately, it is rare that both ears are seen at the same time, so slight differences in size tend to be overlooked, so long as good shape and proportion are maintained.
Contact Dr. Black & Dr. Arnstein
Dr. James Black and Dr. Michael Arnstein have combined their extensive experience and skills in the fields of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery into a practice that encompasses the highest standards of patient care. Their cutting-edge surgical facility includes state-of-the-art workstations and incorporates the latest and most effective techniques in the industry. Dr. Black, Dr. Arnstein, and their highly trained team are committed to offering unparalleled cosmetic and reconstructive services with only the highest level of professionalism and regard for safe, effectual aesthetic results. The best plastic surgery procedures and non-surgical rejuvenation treatments with Dr. Black and Dr. Arnstein in Torrance, CA will leave you looking, and feeling, confident and radiant with supremely natural results!
If you would like to learn more about advanced ear or nose reconstruction or our range of other reconstructive surgical procedures, please contact us at 310-530-4200 to schedule your initial consultation. We look forward to hearing from you today!
