Otoplasty

Otoplasty, or surgery to correct protruding ears, can be performed at almost any age though the surgery is most often performed on children at age five or six when the ear has reached full development. Adult ear surgery is also possible. Generally, there are no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an adult.

Otoplasty is especially helpful to eliminate psychological trauma when ears are corrected before the child starts school.

By reshaping the cartilage, the ears are placed closer to the head through incisions placed behind the ears so scars are well hidden.

Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, either with local or general anesthesia.

One of the more common methods involves making a small incision in the back of the ear, then sculpting the exposed cartilage and positioning it back toward the head. Occasionally, a larger piece of cartilage will be removed to provide a more natural-looking fold.

If a child is young, general anesthesia may be used so the child will sleep through the surgery. For older patients, local anesthesia combined with a sedative will be used.

A gauze bandage is worn for several days after surgery so the ears will heal in their new, flat, position. Stitches are usually removed in about a week.

Otoplasty usually leaves a faint scar behind the ear that will fade in time.

Most adults will be able to return to work after about five days; children can go back to school after about a week.

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