For before and after photos of the otoplasty procedure, click here.

Aesthetic ear surgery, known as otoplasty, may be appropriate for you if your ears protrude more than what is usually considered normal or if they are large in proportion to your other features. Except for very young children, this surgery can be done at any age. It is generally recommended that children be four or five years of age so that their ears will have reached near total ear development and potential psychological repercussions from teasing of classmates may be avoided.

Outer ear surgery is considered cosmetic when performed to correct prominent ears that are aesthetically displeasing to the individual but are otherwise normal in appearance. When performed to correct overly large or deformed ears due to trauma, tumor, infection or birth defects, this procedure may sometimes be covered by insurance.

The surgery takes approximately one hour for each ear, but this time may vary from one individual to the other since no two operations are ever identical.

Planning Your Surgery

Most surgeons recommend that parents stay alert to their child's feelings about protruding ears; don't insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.

In the initial meeting, Dr. Stephens will evaluate your child's condition, or yours if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. He will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.

Types of Anesthesia

If your child is young, Dr. Stephens may recommend general anesthesia, so the child will sleep through the operation. For older children or adults, the surgery may be done under local anesthesia alone, or combined with a sedative.

Surgical Procedure

This procedure may be done in the office as out-patient surgery, or is sometime done as hospital out-patient surgery. Through an incision that is made in a crease behind the ears, the central cartilaginous area is reshaped so that the ears lay closer to the head. Ears that are abnormally large or incorrectly angulated may also be corrected as well as those with absent or abnormal folds. Since incisions are most often made in a natural crease behind the ears, the resulting scars are barely noticeable.

It is important to remember that the shape of each person's head is not identical on each side and that one ear may be placed further back or slightly higher on one side of the head than the other. This is a natural occurrence and will not normally be changed during otoplasty surgery.

In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.

All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk

When ear surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure.

A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle.

Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected area.

Post-Operative Care

The ears will be swollen and red after surgery and will appear unusually thick and large for approximately ten days following surgery. This is a normal reaction and should not cause any concern. Immediately after surgery bandages will be placed around the head. They should be left in place until Dr. Stephens removes them or instructs you to remove them. After they are removed, you may be instructed to wear a bandage for some time during sleeping hours only for protection.

Some soreness and discomfort may be expected for several days following surgery. You will be given a prescription for pain medication to alleviate this discomfort.

Getting Back to Normal

Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery, although you may prefer to stay overnight in the hospital with a child until all the effects of general anesthesia wear off.

Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week to ten days after surgery.

Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they're careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child's teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.

Other Ear Problems

Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These include: "lop ear," when the tip seems to fold down and forward; "cupped ear," which is usually a very small ear; and "shell ear," when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury.

Sometimes, however, the correction can leave a scar that's worse than the original problem. Ask Dr. Stephens about the effectiveness of surgery for your specific case.

More Natural-Looking Ears

Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery. But keep in mind, the goal is improvement, not perfection. Don't expect both ears to match perfectly-perfect symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural in ears. If you've discussed the procedure and your expectations with the surgeon before the operation, chances are, you'll be quite pleased with the result.