Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Most patients are thrilled with the results of ear surgery.

Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury.

Besides protruding ears, there are other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These include:

• Lop ear: when the tip seems to fold down and forward
• Cupped ear: which is usually a very small ear
• Shell ear: when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing.
• Large or stretched earlobes
• Lobes with large creases and wrinkles

Usually, otoplasty is done on children between the ages of four and 14. 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.

The Surgery
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 then sculpt the ear cartilage back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape.

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

The patient's head is 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 is relieved by medication.  Within a few days, the bulky bandages are replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week.

Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so.