Otoplasty | Ear Corrective Surgery | Cosmetic Clinic

Most adults with prominent ears will choose to have the shape of their ears corrected when presented with the option. For an adult, children with prominent ears are usually seen as quite cute and they will not make a big deal out of it, but children are unfortunately not so diplomatic. The effects of a childhood filled with ridicule cannot be ignored when it is your child. Perhaps it is something that you have lived with and understand. Being teased during your school years can often lead to loss of self confidence.
By the age of six months the cartilage that forms the shape of the ear is too hard to be remoulded and a surgical solution is then required if the child has abnormally large or prominent ears. In some children their ears are normal as a baby, but then start to change during their first few years. The older the child, the harder the cartilage becomes until about five years of age when it is no longer floppy and soft. For this reason surgery is recommended after six years of age, because the stitches will hold better when the ear has a stronger structure. The procedure is mostly done between the ages of four to fourteen, but there is no additional risk if it is done during adulthood. Otoplasty is a procedure that adjusts the shape of the cartilage within the ear to allow the ear to lie closer to the side of the head. The technique used for this procedure will depend on the surgeon and the individual nature of the case. With children the procedure is usually done under general anaesthetic, but with adults it is recommended that local anaesthetic be used. In cases where the ear lobe is especially large it may be required to reduce the size as well. The operation usually lasts between sixty to eighty minutes and a bulky bandage will be applied directly after surgery to promote the best moulding and healing. A protective bandage will then be applied and must be worn until the stitches are removed at between five to ten days after surgery. During this time the protective bandage around the head and ears might prevent children from wanting to go back to school and it is important for parents to keep this in mind. The ears are often tender for weeks after the operation, and for this reason basic over-the-counter pain medication might be required.
Children can usually go back to school seven days after surgery, provided that they are careful around the playground, and most adults can go back to work after about five days. There are cases where surgery is not the best option, but a candid relationship with the surgeon during consultation will address these issues. Like with most plastic surgery cases, always keep in mind: the goal is improvement, not perfection.

Most adults with prominent ears will choose to have the shape of their ears corrected when presented with the option. For an adult, children with prominent ears are usually seen as quite cute and they will not make a big deal out of it, but children are unfortunately not so diplomatic. The effects of a childhood filled with ridicule cannot be ignored when it is your child. Perhaps it is something that you have lived with and understand. Being teased during your school years can often lead to loss of self confidence.

By the age of six months the cartilage that forms the shape of the ear is too hard to be remoulded and a surgical solution is then required if the child has abnormally large or prominent ears. In some children their ears are normal as a baby, but then start to change during their first few years. The older the child, the harder the cartilage becomes until about five years of age when it is no longer floppy and soft. For this reason surgery is recommended after six years of age, because the stitches will hold better when the ear has a stronger structure. The procedure is mostly done between the ages of four to fourteen, but there is no additional risk if it is done during adulthood. Otoplasty is a procedure that adjusts the shape of the cartilage within the ear to allow the ear to lie closer to the side of the head. The technique used for this procedure will depend on the surgeon and the individual nature of the case. With children the procedure is usually done under general anaesthetic, but with adults it is recommended that local anaesthetic be used. In cases where the ear lobe is especially large it may be required to reduce the size as well. The operation usually lasts between sixty to eighty minutes and a bulky bandage will be applied directly after surgery to promote the best moulding and healing. A protective bandage will then be applied and must be worn until the stitches are removed at between five to ten days after surgery. During this time the protective bandage around the head and ears might prevent children from wanting to go back to school and it is important for parents to keep this in mind. The ears are often tender for weeks after the operation, and for this reason basic over-the-counter pain medication might be required.

Children can usually go back to school seven days after surgery, provided that they are careful around the playground, and most adults can go back to work after about five days. There are cases where surgery is not the best option, but a candid relationship with the surgeon during consultation will address these issues. Like with most plastic surgery cases, always keep in mind: the goal is improvement, not perfection.