Otoplasty is a surgery to change the shape, position or size of the ears.
This surgery may be used in a number of situations. For example, some people choose to have otoplasty because they are bothered by how far their ears stick out. Others might get this surgery if one or both ears have changed shape due to an injury. Otoplasty also may be used if the ears are a different shape because of a birth defect.
Otoplasty can be done any time after the ears have reached their full size. In general, children can get this surgery as early as 4 to 6 years old. Adults also can get otoplasty.
If a baby is born with prominent ears and certain other ear-shape issues, a different treatment may be an option. It’s called splinting, and it doesn’t involve surgery. Devices called splints are placed on the baby’s outer ear. The splints are adjusted each week for about 4 to 6 weeks. For best results, splinting must be done during the first few days of life. This is when the ear is soft and can be molded. Splinting is less effective when it’s done after the first few weeks of life.
Why it's done
- Your ear or ears stick out too far from your head.
- Your ears are large compared with your head.
- Your ears are large compared with your head.
- You're not happy with the results from a past ear surgery.
Otoplasty doesn’t change where on your head the ears are located. It also doesn’t change your ability to hear.
Risks
- Scarring
- Ears that don't look balanced in placement
- Changes in feeling
- Ears look "pinned back" after surgery
How you prepare
- Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past medical conditions, especially any ear infections. You also may be asked about medicines you take or have taken recently. Tell your surgery team about any surgeries you've had in the past.
- Do a physical exam. Your surgeon checks your ears, including their placement, size, shape and symmetry. This helps determine your treatment options. Pictures of your ears may be taken for your medical record.
- Discuss your goals. You likely will be asked why you want otoplasty and what results you expect.
- Talk with you about the risks of surgery. Make sure you understand the risks of otoplasty before you decide to move forward with surgery.
- If you and your plastic surgeon decide that otoplasty is right for you, you then take steps to prepare for surgery.
Medicines and herbs
Smoking
Other planning
What you can expect
Before
During
Your surgeon might make incisions on the backs of your ears or within the inner creases of your ears. Surgeons often choose these areas to help keep otoplasty scars hidden.
After making incisions, your surgeon might remove extra tissue including cartilage and skin. Then the cartilage is folded into the proper position and secured with stitches inside the ear. More stitches are used to close the incisions.
The surgery typically takes about 1 to 2 hours.
After
You’ll likely feel some discomfort and itching. Take pain medicine as recommended by your surgery team. If you take pain medicine and your discomfort gets worse, call a member of your surgery team right away.
To keep pressure off your ears, don’t sleep on your side. Also, do not rub the incisions or place lots of force on them. It helps to wear button-down shirts or shirts with loose-fitting collars.
A few days after otoplasty, your surgery team removes your bandages. Your ears likely will be swollen. You may need to wear a loose headband that covers your ears at night for a few weeks. This helps keep you from pulling your ears forward when rolling over in bed.
Talk to a member of your surgery team about when or if your stitches will be removed. Some stitches dissolve on their own. Others must be removed in the surgeon’s office in the weeks after surgery.