About Otoplasty
Otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure aimed at correcting any congenital deformity or acquired damage of the ear (auricle).
The most common procedure is the correction of prominent ears.
The surgery can be performed on children from the age of 5 (when the ear’s cartilage is fully formed) and older, as well as on adults.
Otoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia and does not require a hospital stay, except in very young children, where general anesthesia is preferred. The appropriate technique is selected depending on the type of deformity.
The causes of prominent ears may include an overly curved concha or an underdeveloped antihelix (the fold in the middle of the ear), and sometimes both factors contribute. During correction, the suitable technique is used to address all existing imperfections—reducing the curvature of the concha and shaping the antihelix to achieve a natural appearance.
The Procedure of the Surgery
Incisions are made behind the ear, and the portion of cartilage showing hypertrophy in the concha is removed. Sutures are then placed in the cartilage to shape the natural curvature of the antihelix. When there is a significant prominence of the ears, the anterior cartilage may also need to be weakened to prevent recurrence.
After the Procedure
The procedure lasts about 1 hour, and patients are usually discharged the same day without the need for extensive bandaging. Return to work or school is possible within one week.
The results are immediately visible and long-lasting.
Results
