Although our ears play important roles in hearing and balance, they can also affect our social life in terms of appearance. Protruding, misshapen, or disproportionate ears can have a negative impact on your self-esteem. The goal of ear aesthetic surgery (otoplasty) is to create the underdeveloped ear folds and bring the ear closer to the scalp.
Benefits of Ear Reshaping
Otoplasty can improve the appearance of your ears and their harmony with your face. Common reasons for ear surgery include:
- Reducing the size of large ears
- Correcting ears that protrude on one or both sides
- Correcting undesirable results from previous ear surgery
- Reshaping ears deformed by birth defects or injury
- Improving self-esteem
Eligibility for Ear Surgery
Otoplasty is a procedure that can be easily performed on both qualified adults and children. Since ear development is complete by the age of 4-5, surgeries performed after this age will not affect ear development. The recommended time for the procedure in children is before school age to avoid any psychological impact. Children who are good candidates for this procedure should meet the following criteria:
- In good general health
- Over five years old or with firm cartilage
- Without unresolved chronic ear infections
- Able to follow instructions well
Adults may also choose to undergo ear surgery if they are dissatisfied with the shape or size of their ears. Good candidates for otoplasty among adults:
- In good general health
- No medical conditions that interfere with the body’s healing process
- Non-smokers
- Able to clearly define their treatment goals
Ear Surgery Procedure
The otoplasty procedure is customized to suit the patient’s age and goals. Multiple techniques can be used to achieve different outcomes. Most commonly, an incision is made behind the ear. Once the cartilage is exposed, it can be reshaped. If necessary, a piece of cartilage may be removed. Stitches secure the ears in their new shape or position.
For pediatric patients, we prefer to perform the procedure under general anesthesia, while for adults, we opt for local anesthesia or sedation. The surgery typically takes 1-2 hours. While most adults can go home the same day, children are generally kept in the hospital overnight for observation.
Ear Surgery Recovery Process
You will receive detailed, personalized instructions after the surgery. Typically, you will need to wear bandages on your head and ears for a few days following the surgery. The next phase of recovery involves wearing a special headband for 24 hours a day for three weeks. Afterward, the headband should be worn at night for an additional three weeks. In most cases, there is no need to remove stitches.
Plan to take about a week off from work or school. You will need to take general precautions to protect the incision sites from trauma. Special care and supervision are needed for children to prevent any ear trauma. Additionally, strenuous activities should be avoided for the first three weeks following surgery.
You will see your results immediately after the bandages are removed. Because the incisions are strategically made behind the ear or within the ear’s natural fold, scars are typically minimal and barely visible.
