:: Ear Surgery

Otoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to bring prominent ears closer to the head and reshape the ear cartilage into a more normal appearance. While this surgery can be done in adulthood, it is often recommended after the ears have reached full size, usually around five to six years of age.

Surgery
Otoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. While a general anaesthetic is recommended for young patients, a local anaesthetic combined with a mild sedative is often appropriate for adults. A small incision is made in the back of the ear to expose the cartilage. From there, excess skin is removed, and stitches are used to reshape the underlying cartilage. A final stitch is then placed to reposition the newly shaped ear further back against the head.

Following surgery, a bulky head dressing is applied to minimize risk of infection and mould the ears into their new position. One week later, the bandage is removed and replaced by a lighter dressing. A headband is worn at night for six weeks to protect the ear from bending while sleeping. Strenuous activity and contact sports should be avoided for four to six weeks.

Risks and Complications
Most patients are very happy with the results of ear surgery. Complications such as infection or bleeding can occur, but fortunately are very rare. Recurrence requiring a second procedure is extremely uncommon. You should not expect both ears to have perfect symmetry, as this is both unlikely and unnatural in ears. Dr. Brown will discuss these issues with you in detail at the time of your initial consultation.