Ear Surgery

The best candidates for otoplasty are adults and children aged 5 years and older. Ears are almost fully grown by that age, and the cartilage is no longer too soft. Because children can be teased about prominent ears, it is reasonable to correct the problem before they enter first grade, although some parents prefer to wait until children ask for the surgery, especially if their child is reluctant to have the surgery at a young age. As a result, we often see children between the ages of 5 to 7 and teenagers.

When you meet with us for your otoplasty consultation, we will have an honest discussion about your desires, expectations, and concerns, as well as the limits and risks of the surgery. We will review your medical history and recommend options that can best help you achieve your goals. We will give you thorough written instructions to prepare for your surgery and will answer any questions you have.

At Summit Health, the patient experience is of primary importance to us. We customize every single procedure we do so that it is tailored to what is best for you and you alone. If the surgery is to be performed on a child, we take special care to reassure the child that the surgery is safe and does not hurt. We have extensive experience working with children and putting their mind at ease.

Otoplasty may be performed in our office operating room suite or the hospital, depending on the patient's age. Children usually receive general anesthesia, while adults may have the procedure under local anesthesia and sedation

If the ears are “pinned” to the scalp, the sutures used are internal and permanent, and, therefore,  they are not removed.

Surgery usually lasts 1 to 3 hours, during which the ears are sculpted and reshaped depending on what is needed to give the patient the best result. In most cases, incisions can be made behind the ears or within the folds of the ears where the scars will remain hidden. In any event, scars fade and flatten considerably over time.

Ten percent of patients need a touchup after healing from otoplasty has finished. This can usually be done in our office as a small, simple procedure.

Otoplasty patients receive thorough instructions about what to do to prepare for and recover from surgery. Most patients receive dissolvable stitches. There may be some discomfort for a few days after surgery, but this can be managed with oral over-the-counter or prescription medications. You can expect some bruising for a week or 2 after surgery. Some patients also report mild itching.

Please protect your ears very carefully for 1 month after surgery. For the first couple of days, we will provide fluffy bandages that cover the ears. For the remainder of the month after surgery, you will wear a headband during sleep. In the case of ear pinning, it is very important not to yank the stitches. Please also do not use ear buds during the first week or two.

Although patients must limit certain activities for several weeks (especially anything that could bend the ears), almost all patients can return to school or work in about a week. Once swelling has fully resolved and healing is complete, the ears will have a much more natural appearance.