Who is a Candidate?

Patients who benefit from ear surgery include those who may have:

    Protruding ear(s)

    Large ear(s)

    Abnormally shaped ear(s)

Ear surgery is often recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. Correction of the ears prior to the child entering school helps eliminate potential psychological trauma from bullying by other classmates. Adults may also have their ears reshaped.

Intended Results:

An otoplasty will fashion prominent ears back into a more pleasing shape.

Procedure Description:

If the problem is protruding ears, the supporting tissue of the ears, called cartilage, is reshaped in order to position your ears closer to the patient's head. This usually is accomplished through incisions placed behind the ears.

Ears that need to be reduced in size or are protruding in the middle 1/3 of the ear, external incision of the front (outside surface) of the ear will be needed. 

In ear reductions, skin as well as cartilage will most often need to be removed.

Recuperation and Healing:

For the first several days, the head must be elevated as much as possible.

Initially, pain is usually controlled with oral medication.

Bruising typically disappears within seven to ten days. Stitches are usually removed within a week of surgery.

After surgery, the patient will wear gauze dressing or bandage for a few days or up to several weeks to ensure that your ears heal in their new, corrected position.

Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period.

Most patients will be able to resume normal activities within ten days or less. Most people return to work at 7-10 days.

Insurance Guidelines:

This procedure is considered cosmetic and therefore is not covered by insurance. The patient is responsible for payment.

NOTE: The specific risks and the suitability of this procedure for a given individual can be determined only at the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome can occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual.