Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)
Otoplasty is used to correct external ear deformities. Optimal age for this surgery is at about 5, when ears have reached 85% to 90% of their adult size, so there is little concern about affecting normal ear growth. However, otoplasty can be performed at any age. Adults and older children can have the procedure under local anesthesia, often with intravenous sedation.
Otoplasty FAQs
The surgery is done in the office under sedation and local anesthesia. In very young patients the option of general anesthesia is more appropriate. In these cases, we perform the surgery in a hospital operating room. The patient will wear ear dressings for one week. After the first week, a head band protecting the ears is worn at night for six weeks. There is tenderness, but the discomfort is easily controlled with pain medication.
The incision is hidden in the crease behind the ear and is very hard to detect, even in men with very short hair.