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Ear Surgery

(Otoplasty)
 
For many adults and children, having large ears leads to ridicule, poor adaptation to school, and/or extreme self-consciousness. Otoplasty is a procedure used to reduce large or protruding ears by setting the ears back closer to the head as well as molding, shaping and/or removing cartilage.

Otoplasty can be performed at any age after the ears have reached (or nearly reached) their full size, which is around 5 to 6 years of age. This surgery is most often performed on children between the ages of 5 and 14.

If you're considering otoplasty or ear surgery, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in otoplasty.
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Photo Gallery
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Video Gallery
 
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What are some of the most common benefits of ear surgery (otoplasty)?
Ear surgery can dramatically change a person’s appearance simply by making protruding ears look more normal. Often the problem is caused by an undeveloped middle fold of the ear. There may be other deformities as well, making it necessary to perform several procedures on the ear at the same time. Otoplasty can reshape the ears, reduce their size, make them more symmetrical, and/or position them closer to the head.

If you (or your child) are self-conscious about your ears, and always keep them covered with your hair, then this surgery can open up new possibilities for changing your appearance and your body image.
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What will happen at the initial consultation?
During the consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. He/she will explain the different options available to you, the procedure itself, and its risks and limitations. He/she will also explain the kind of anesthesia required, surgical facility, and costs.

Your surgeon will ask for a complete medical history and examine the structure of both ears. Even if only one ear needs correction, surgery may still be recommended on both ears to achieve the most natural, symmetrical appearance.

Trust, based on realistic expectations and exacting medical expertise, should develop during the initial consultation. A positive attitude toward the surgery is an important factor in all plastic surgery, but it is especially critical when the patient is a child or adolescent.

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about the surgery, and ask to see photos of the doctor’s recent patients, before and after surgery. Also ask for, and follow up on, patient references. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision. See Questions to ask your doctor below.

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How is this surgery performed?
This procedure generally involves reforming the cartilages that shape the ears, to pull them in, and reduce the protrusion. Sutures (stitches) are placed in the cartilage on the back side of the ear to maintain the new position. Incisions and the resulting scars are well concealed on the back of the ear, so that there is no visible scarring.

Surgery begins with an incision just behind the ear, in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head. The surgeon will then remove the necessary amounts of cartilage and skin required to achieve the right effect. In some cases, the surgeon will trim the cartilage, shaping it into a more desirable form and then pin the cartilage back with permanent sutures to secure the cartilage. In other instances, the surgeon will not remove any cartilage at all, using stitches to hold the cartilage permanently in place.
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How long does the surgery take?
Otoplasty generally takes about one to two hours per ear. The length of the procedure depends on the technique used and the amount of correction required.
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Do I have to stay in the hospital?
Probably not. The procedure is usually performed in a surgical suite as an outpatient procedure. You’ll be able to return home within a few hours of the surgery. This sugery can be performed under local anesthetic, such as that used by most dentists, although most surgeons advise general anesthesia for young patients.
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Will the operation affect my hearing?
No. Only the outer ear is operated on, not the middle or inner ear, where hearing takes place.
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Will there be any visible scars?
In most cases, no. The scars are hidden behind the ear. However, if you are prone to scarring problems such as keloids, you should discuss this with your doctor before the procedure.
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What can I expect after ear surgery?
Most doctors like to have the patient wear a headband for a few weeks after surgery in order to protect the surgical repair. If you can wear this at work, then you can probably return to work quickly, but you will need to discuss this issue with your doctor.
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What is the recovery period like?
Most normal activities can be resumed within a few weeks, but you will need to be very careful to protect your ears for at least 6 weeks, or possibly even longer. In order to make sure that there is no infection or bleeding in the ear after the surgery, you must be very careful to protect the ears and keep them clean. In addition, bending the ears forward in the first few months after the surgery can destroy even the finest surgical result, so be very careful to follow all of your surgeon’s instructions.
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What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
The results are usually permanent, although there is always some small amount of “springing back” of the ears due to the elastic recoil of the ear cartilage.
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Ideal candidate:
  • Child, aged four or older, or adult.
  • In general good health.
  • No history of scarring problems, such as keloids.
  • Wanting to improve appearance.
  • Realistic in expectations.
  • Understand the limitations on activities required for good healing.
  • Able and willing to carefully follow the surgeon’s after-care instructions.
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he / she considers you (or your child) an ideal candidate for otoplasty.
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Alternatives:
  • Wearing a headband or camouflaging the ears with long hair.
  • Accept the ears with their protruding shape.
  • Consider additional plastic surgery along with the otoplasty, to further improve the proportions of the head and face.
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Risks:
All surgery carries some risk of scarring, bleeding, reaction to anesthesia and infection. The health risks from these are relatively minor in this surgery, but special care must be taken because infection or collection of blood under the skin can deform the ear cartilages. Rarely, a second procedure will be necessary, or one of the nondissolving sutures (stitches) left in the ear will work its way to the surface and have to be removed. Serious complications are quite rare.
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Otoplasty Costs:
Costs for otoplasty ear surgery vary, depending on the doctor, the location, technique used and the difficulty of the specific case. The national average of 2007 surgeon fees for otoplasty was $3,063 (Source: The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons). Regional averages: New England states: $3,489 Middle Atlantic states: $2,363 North Central states: $2,983 South Central states: $2,951 and Mountain/Pacific states: $2,570. These fees do not include anesthesia, operating room facility, hospital stay and other related expenses. The procedure is not usually covered by health insurance policies, except for cases of injury.
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Choosing a doctor:
We strongly recommend that you consider choosing a surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. See our Physician Locator feature to find a surgeon in your area, including detailed profile information for many of the listed doctors. Also read How to Select a Plastic Surgeon for a more detailed discussion on choosing the right doctor.
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Questions to ask your doctor:
  1. Are the desired results I described realistic?
  2. Where is the surgery performed? How long will the procedure take?
  3. What kind of anesthesia is used?
  4. How much does it cost?
  5. What is your experience in performing this procedure? (How long has he/she performed this procedure, and how many he/she has performed in the past year?)
  6. What percentage of patients have had significant complications? (The physician should disclose this information to you.)
  7. Will you repeat or correct procedures if it does not meet agreed upon goals? And if the procedure must be repeated / corrected, will I be charged again? (The physician should provide you with his/her policy on this issue.)
  8. May I see "before and after" photos of recent patients? The physician should provide many photos of recent patients.
  9. May I have the names and contact information for several recent otoplasty patients? (Follow up to get first-hand information on the procedure and the surgeon.)
  10. Could I observe the exact procedure I am considering before I decide to have the surgery? (Either on videotape or ask to view one in real life.)
  11. What should I expect post-operatively, in terms of soreness, what to watch for, medication, bathing, and level of activity?
  12. Who will be assisting during the surgery? What are their qualifications? (Does the plastic surgeon perform the entire surgery?)
  13. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
  14. Do you offer patient financing?
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Be sure to:
  • Tell your doctor about any allergies you have (to foods, drugs, environmental elements)
  • Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (both prescription and non-prescription)
  • Carefully follow any instructions your surgeon gives you regarding eating and drinking, smoking, and vitamins.
  • Avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing medicines for two weeks prior to surgery.
  • Arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery.
The information on this web site is only intended as an introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the result. The best method of determining your options is to consult qualified surgeons who are able to answer specific questions related to your situation.
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How do I finance this procedure?
Did you know that 29% of all Americans have considered having an elective procedure? Of those, 60% would schedule a procedure immediately if financing was available. With iEnchance's patient financing options, money no longer has to be the barrier between you and your new image. By filling out our on-line application you can qualify for a loan in as little as 30 seconds.
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