Otoplasty, also known as ear correction surgery, is performed to reshape the cartilage in the ear to bring them closer to the head. It is performed on the visible portion of the outer ear which is called the auricle. The auricle is folds of cartilage that are covered in skin. It starts to develop before birth and continues developing in the years after you’re born. Sometimes the auricle doesn’t develop fully and in that case otoplasty is used to correct the size and shape of the ears.
This is a procedure performed mostly on patients between the ages of 4 and 14 as the cartilage is softer and easier to reshape during these ages but it is still effective in adults as well.
• People with small ears that haven’t completely developed
• People whose ears stick out prominently from the sides of their heads
• People who have unusually large ears
• People who have low self-esteem due to a structural abnormality in their ears
It is mostly performed under local anesthesia during which ITMT Group doctors will make a small incision where the ear connects to the head in order to remove, trim or cut part of the cartilage. Once the ear is reshaped then the incision site is closed up with stitches. The specific technique will be determined by the type of otoplasty that is performed but this is generally how this simple operation goes.
It is a fairly simple procedure that may take up to two hours to perform.
Patients are usually allowed to go home the day of the surgery. Their ears will be covered in bandages with a dressing applied over the incision site. Minor swelling, redness, discomfort is very normal. The dressing will remain on the ears for about a week. After it is removed, your doctor will ask you to put on an elastic headband which you will have to wear for about a month after the surgery. It is important to keep the treated area clean and find a comfortable sleeping position that doesn’t put too much weight on the operated ears.