Otoplasty: What it is, Cosmetic Surgery for Prominent Ears

Learn what otoplasty is and the procedure for prominent ear correction surgery. It corrects ear asymmetry without pain.

Otoplasty: Plastic Surgery for Prominent Ears

What is otoplasty? Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that restores deformities in the shape and position of the ear. The youngest age for surgical correction is 4 to 5 years in children, and this is in cases where the specialized splint applied at birth to an infant with prominent ears (bat ears) has not worked or has not been used. The procedure can correct asymmetry of one ear, but usually, both ears are operated on to achieve the desired new position. During the visit, the patient is evaluated, the exact problem that needs to be addressed and which part of the ear is affected is identified, and then the procedure is described to the patient and/or parents/guardians after discussing the expectations and possibilities for improvement.

The Procedure The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and lasts approximately 2 hours. In typical otoplasty for prominent ears, incisions are made behind the ear and are hidden there. No skin is removed unless the position of the lobe is changed, in which case a small section is removed to achieve the optimal result. After dissecting the cartilages and placing appropriate sutures, overcorrection is performed so that, over time and after the skin relaxes, the ear 'settles' into the desired position. After the procedure, a bandage is applied to hold and protect the ears, which is removed 3-5 days later. Afterwards, a special headband is worn by the patient for 4-6 weeks during sleep. The result is permanent.