Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Straightforward cosmetic surgery that can make a dramatic and positive change to the way you feel.

What is Otoplasty?

Ear surgery, or Otoplasty, is a very common cosmetic surgery procedure and easy to combine with a relaxed stay abroad.  It corrects protruding ears or reshapes and reforms large ear lobes.  Otoplasty may also reconstruct parts of the ear that are damaged or missing through accident and injury or from birth.  Some people opt to have otoplasty in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures abroad.

It can be carried out on children and adolescents from age four upwards.  They are often the group that suffers most from negative comments about the way their ears look.  Young people also have ear cartilage that is more malleable and easier to reconstruct.  Having ear surgery can help boost their self image and confidence and help them feel more at ease with their peer groups. 

Many adults undergo ear surgery. Often, they have not had the chance to have corrective surgery earlier in life.  Men may find that as they age, thinning hair has revealed their ears, while women may wish to have more leeway in choosing hairstyles by opting for ones that don’t always have to hide their ears. Adults face no added complications by having the surgery later in life.  

Whatever your reason for choosing to ear surgery, you can rest assured that it is a straightforward cosmetic surgery procedure with minimal side effects, complications and risks.  It can however make a dramatic and positive change to the way you feel about yourself. 

Why you might consider Otoplasty

Otoplasty is a highly individualised operation.  Every one comes to ear surgery having had different experiences of coping and dealing with the shape or size of their ears.  Most people have faced either direct comments about their appearance or are self conscious about their ears and feel that the way they look is causing them distress.   

Young people often suffer the most, and parents may push for their children to have ear surgery as early as possible in life.   This is advisable as the ears are near normal size by age five to six but the cartilage soft enough still to allow for easier reforming of the ear.  However, parents would be wise to wait until their children are conscious of the issue and are certain they wish to have the procedure.  Children who are keen to have corrective surgery will feel happier about the result and be more willing to have the operation.  Parents need to ensure their child’s best welfare is at heart.  

Since you will have your own desired outcomes from ear surgery, you will need to discuss your expectations in detail with your plastic surgeon.   

You may wish to undergo ear surgery because:

• You are unhappy with the look of your ears as they developed from birth
• Accident or injury has altered your ear features

As with most cosmetic surgery, ear surgery is ideal for people with a mature outlook; in the case of children or adolescents, this means individuals who are aware of the issues and their options and are happy to have the procedure.  

You need to understand that cosmetic surgery is not aimed at helping you seek perfection; it aims to make enhancements to your features.  You need to have considered your self image, your self confidence, any likely reaction of your family and friends and how you will cope with any comments – positive or negative - made about your appearance after surgery. 

What Otoplasty can do

For the most part, otoplasty is concerned with ‘pinning’ back the ears by either removing skin or removing cartilage, or both.  The aim of ear surgery is to give your ears as normal a positioning and size as possible in keeping with your other facial characteristics.  Generally, ears protrude around 15 degrees from the scalp (up to a 2cm protrusion from the head is considered within normal bounds). 

It is carried out to correct:

• protruding ears;
• ‘lop ear’ when the tip of the ear appears to fold down and forward;
• ‘cup ear’, an usually small ear; and
• ‘shell ear’ the curve and natural folds and creases are missing;
• and to
• Reduce elongated or stretched ear lobes;
• Remove excessive creases or wrinkles in ear lobes; and even
• Reconstruct part of ears that are missing from birth or injury

Ear surgery is carried out usually on both ears, even if one is seen to have the problem.  This is to help ensure symmetry. 

What Otoplasty won’t do

Otoplasty does not come with set guarantees and it is best thought of as a corrective procedure able to enhance your appearance to a given extent.  It is generally a highly successful operation and rarely does the outcome disappoint.  However, as with all cosmetic surgery, it is impossible to tell before operating how a person’s ear will reshape and heal, and there is a small chance that corrective surgery might be required (see also: Safety).  

The Consultation

The pre-operative consultation with your facial plastic surgeon and the immediate weeks before surgery are very important if you are to make the most of your ear surgery.  You will need time also to prepare yourself emotionally and physically.

If the operation is for a child, the surgeon will take time to ensure the child is happy about the procedure and aware of the outcomes as well as the after care required. 

Be clear about what you expect the surgery to achieve.  Remember, you may be able to undergo other cosmetic surgery in tandem with your ear surgery at the same time you are abroad. Ask your surgeon about this.

The surgeon will examine all aspects of your ears and overall facial and consider your age and the likely malleability of your ear cartilage.

The surgeon will ask you detailed questions about your overall health, well-being, goals and your medical history.  The surgeon forms a surgical plan based on this information to select the optimum intervention for your needs.

What to expect from the surgeon

Be prepared to supply information on and/or discuss:

• Your expectations of the surgery
• Any medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Any previous surgery
• Any family history that may be relevant to your ear or facial characteristics

During the consultation, your surgeon is likely to:

• Assess your general health
• Evaluate any health conditions
• Discuss the likely results of your surgery
• Discuss the value of and any complications of ear surgery
• Discuss the merits or otherwise of combining it with other cosmetic surgery
• Take photographs for medical records
• Talk about the type of anesthetic used and its effects

You may be asked in preparation for surgery to:

• Take certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Have certain lab tests or further medical evaluation
• Refrain from smoking in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Questions you should ask

It is important that you are fully informed of the after care, any possible complications and the likely results of your surgery.  You will also need to know how the procedure is carried out; in particular where scarring is likely.  Below is a checklist of some key questions to ask:

• What type of otoplasty procedure do I need and what does it entail during surgery?
• How do I best prepare for the operation
• Do I need assistance in post-operative care?
• What results can I expect?
• What side effects or complications may occur? 
• What discomfort will I have? 
• How will my ear/face look immediately post op (bruising, swelling etc)?
• Are there any activities or environments I should avoid while I recover?
• How likely is it I will need further corrective surgery?
• What other facial cosmetic procedures can I consider in conjunction with my otoplasty?
• What post-operative instructions should I follow after the operation?
• When can I expect to resume normal work-life activity levels?