Ear Correction [Otoplasty]

Ear Correction

Also known as Otoplasty, this includes a range of common cosmetic surgical procedures designed to correct the size, shape, and position of the ear. Otoplasty is a  procedure to correct the deformities of the ear such as birth defects, protruding ears, cup ears, shelled ears, malformed ears, ears with excessive cartilage, ear defects due to trauma, surgery or cancer.

Multiple techniques can be used in Otoplasty

#1

Otoplasty is done under general anaesthesia in young children for extensive procedures. It can be done under local anaesthesia with sedation for adults. Adult patients who require minor corrections can be managed as a day care procedure .In children and adults with major corrections, the stay may be extended for one day.
Surgery usually takes 1-3 hours time depending upon the complexity of the procedure involved.

#2

The appropriate technique is selected based on the anatomy of ear, extent of cartilage involvement , level of deformity and surrounding skin. In one technique, an incision is made behind the ear, exposed cartilage sculpted and repositioned and anchored nearer to the head with non-absorbable sutures.

#3

In another technique, a portion of skin over the ear is removed , cartilage moulded and repositioned using nonabsorbable sutures. In this technique, cartilage isn’t removed. In birth defects (microtia/ small or absent ear), cartilagenous frame work is recreated using rib cartilage in the first stage followed by elevation of framework and covering it with skin graft in the second stage

Post Operative Care for Otoplasty

Immediately after the surgery

In patients with cartilage correction surgery, the ear is sealed using a headband and later this may be exchanged with a lighter dressing after 1 week.

The weeks that follow

  • You may expect bruising, swelling and soreness for a week which may be alleviated to a large extent by using analgesics prescribed by our team of surgeons.

  • Ensure the head bandage to be worn throughout day and night until further instructions.
Full recovery timeline

  • Avoid heavy exercise, contact sports and bending forward at least for a period of 4-6 weeks.

  • Children should refrain from normal activity for a week. Adults can resume work in a week's time.


You ask, we answer.

For anyone unhappy with the shape or size of their ears, ear reshaping surgery may provide an effective solution, offering physical benefits and improving your confidence levels.

As with any other surgery, otoplasty may be associated with common problems like bleeding, infection, hypertrophic scars. Rarely it may be associated with necrosis of a small portion of graft or cartilage which might require a small corrective surgery. Asymmetry of ears may happen rarely.

The position of the incision is behind the ear and the scar would be barely visible after it has healed.

The surgery may be performed on any healthy child of usually at the age of 8-10 years.

Yes, the results of Otoplasty are permanent and last a lifetime.