Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ear surgery, or Otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. 

For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and fourteen.  Ears are almost fully grown by age four and the earlier the surgery the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.

Photos courtesy of Dr Murphy, Colorado 

Ear surgery usually takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. With one of the more common techniques, the surgeon makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He or she will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.

Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.

In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.

Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery.

The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication. Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week.

There are other types of ear problems which surgery can improve such as:

Please ask your doctor for further information.