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Otoplasty, more commonly known as ear surgery, is a surgical procedure which can reduce the size of large ears or set prominent ears back closer to the head. Otoplasty is often performed on children to spare them the teasing and ridicule associated with large or protruding ears. The surgery can be performed once the ears have reach their full size which tends to occur around five or six years of age. Because self-consciousness and poor adaptation at school can result from even mild distorted ears, it’s generally believed that the early otoplasty is performed, the better.

Otoplasty can also be performed on adults and there are generally no additional risks when doing so. Adults often decide to undergo otoplasty along with other facial plastic surgery procedure.

If you are considering otoplasty for your child, it’s important that you are confident in your decision. At PROFILES, we advise parents to be attentive to their child’s feelings about their ears and not insist on the surgery until the child is ready for a change. Children who dislike their ears and want the surgery are typically happier with the results and more cooperative during the process.

During a consultation for otoplasty at PROFILES we can help you to decide whether surgery is the best option for your child, both aesthetically as well as physically and psychologically.

In general, you should know that there are two main reasons why it is beneficial to perform the surgery at a young age: children can benefit psychologically from the cosmetic improvement and the cartilage is very pliable and allows for easier shaping.
It’s also important to note that otoplasty does not impact hearing at all.

If you are considering otoplasty for yourself, it’s important to understand that fully developed ears have firmer cartilage which makes surgery slightly more involved than during childhood.

All of our outpatient procedures including chin augmentation are performed in our brand new, state of the art, fully accredited, office-based surgical facility- the Profiles Surgery Center.

Profiles Facility

Dr. Solieman and Dr. Litner commonly recommend that young patients receive general anesthesia and that older children and adults receive a combination of local anesthesia and mild sedation.

Ear surgery typically forty- five mnutes to one hour per ear. The particular problem will determine the exact technique used. One of the more common techniques involves a small incision which is made in the back of the ear. Once the ear cartilage is exposed, it is then sculpted and bent back toward the head. The new shape may be maintained with the help of non-removable stitches. In order to achieve a more natural-looking fold, it is sometimes necessary to remove a larger piece of cartilage. Another technique for otoplasty requires that a similar incision be made behind the ear, after which skin is removed and the cartilage is folded back on itself with stitches, thus reshaping the ear without removing cartilage. Surgery is usually performed on both ears even when only one ear protrudes so that the best balance can be achieved.

Within just a few hours of surgery, most patients are up and about. To promote the best molding and healing, a bandage is wrapped around the head immediately after surgery. This is replaced by a lighter, headband-like dressing within a few days.

Patients may experience some throbbing or aching of the ears during the first few days, but medication is prescribed to relieve this.

Absorbable sutures are utilized on skin incisions in order to minimize any postoperative discomfort. Adult patients are usually able to return to work within about three days after surgery, while children can usually return to school in about five days. Care will need to be taken on the playground and it can be a good idea to ask your child’s teacher to keep an eye on him/ her for the first few weeks.

Most patients are very happy with their otoplasty results.