Otoplasty

What it involves

An incision is usually made in the natural crease behind the ear. Through it the cartilage may be reshaped or folded, scored so that it bends into a new position, secured with internal stitches, partially removed where necessary, and positioned closer to the side of the head. The skin is then closed, usually with dissolvable stitches, though some techniques use permanent internal stitches to hold the new shape. The operation commonly takes one to two hours. Children usually have general anaesthetic; older teenagers and adults may have general or local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation.

Who it may suit

Prominent ears rarely cause a physical health problem, but they can cause real self-consciousness, and children may experience teasing. Surgery is appropriate when the patient themselves wants the change — not because someone else has suggested it. A child should be old enough to understand the operation, cooperate with the aftercare, and express a consistent wish to go ahead. Surgery is generally not recommended under the age of five, as the ears and cartilage are still developing; from around five the ears are close to adult size. There is no upper age limit.

Recovery

A padded dressing or head bandage is usually worn for about five to ten days to protect the ears and support their new position, often followed by a soft headband at night for several weeks. Aching, swelling, bruising, numbness and itching are all normal early on, and the ears may at first look swollen, uneven or set too close to the head. Swelling and bruising improve over the first fortnight; numbness and stiffness can take several weeks or months to settle. School or non-strenuous work is usually possible after one to two weeks, swimming is avoided for about four to six weeks, and contact sports for six to eight weeks or longer.

This page is a general guide. Every procedure is planned individually — the details, risks and recovery relevant to you are discussed at consultation.