Technique

Otoplasty patients under 5 usually undergo general anesthesia, while those over the age of 12 undergo a combination of local anesthesia.

In general, incisions are made behind the ears, leaving no visible scars, and the plastic surgeon then folds the cartilage into the proper position and secures it without the need for sutures.

As a general rule, the appropriate otoplasty technique is chosen by your plastic surgeon based on the kind of correction needed.

What to expect after surgery:

• After the procedure, your ears will be covered in bandages for 4-5 days.
• You will also need to wear a headband that covers your ears during the night for approximately one month.
• If sutures are not absorbable, they will be removed in one week postoperatively.
• Scars are not visible, since the scar line is made behind the ear. Even small scars fade in time.
• Adults may return to their daily routine within 5 days following otoplasty, while children are recommended to do so after a week following the procedure and need to be very careful with physical activities for the following weeks.

Duration of Results

Otoplasty benefits will be life long. The goal of the procedure is to provide a natural result not making it seem like the ears are stuck to the sides of the head.

Useful Information

• Apart from prominent ears, otoplasty also corrects many dysfunctions, such as:

1. a) “Lop ear”, when the superior edge of the helix is folded down.
2. b) “Cupped ear”, when the upper pole is folded over and the ear is tiny.
3. c) “Shell ear”, when certain features of a normal ear are missing (helix, antihelix, antitragus)
4. d) Correction of earlobe deformities and correction of congenital problems or of those occurred due to an injury.

• It is estimated that 5% of children worldwide are born with prominent ears, regardless of race.
• Otoplasty produces a natural result, as the ears are neither prominent nor stuck to the head.