Surgery » Otoplasty (Ears)

Most people are happy if their ears are not noticed. However ears that stick out, are overly large, or strangely shaped can attract unwelcome attention. Especially with school aged children, teasing and cruel remarks are common. To prevent this and the resultant psychological trauma a simple procedure called Otoplasty is available. With Otoplasty the position and shape of the ears can be improved so that they are no longer noticeable.

What Age to have Otoplasty?

It is usually best to have an Otoplasty just prior to going to school. There is no medical benefit to waiting longer and a child who has never previously noticed his or her ears can become very self-conscious once the teasing has started. However it is never too late to consider Otoplasty. Increasingly more adults who have been thinking about surgery for many years are now going ahead with Otoplasty.

The Procedure

Children usually have Otoplasty under general anaesthesia (completely asleep) while most adults choose local anaesthesia with sedation. Both adults and children tend to go home the same day. The incision for Otoplasty is hidden in the crease behind the ear. The cartilage is sculpted and often sutures placed to hold the cartilage in its new position. Dissolving sutures are usually used to close the incisions so that they don't need to be removed. A soft bandage is placed around the ears for the first two days.

Recovery

After the first two days it is usually only necessary to wear the bandage at night, although with children it is often a good idea to continue to wear the bandage for one week. Pain is usually minimal and well controlled with simple oral pain medication. The ears will feel numb, this will settle over a few weeks to months.

Appearance

Most people have slightly (to very!) asymmetric ears naturally. You will still have asymmetric ears after the operation. However once you are used to you new appearance the idea is that you forget about your ears altogether – as the look 'normal'.

Risks

The main risk is of infection – as the internal sutures can act as foreign bodies. That is why we will get you to wash with an antiseptic shampoo and give you antibiotics in the drip and to go home with. Over all infection is very uncommon.

Note: Aspirin, Nurofen, Vitamin E and blood thinning medications and most herbal preparations tend to significantly increase bruising and should not be taken for two weeks prior to and one week after facial plastic surgery.