Prominent ear surgery (otoplasty)

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Prominent ear surgery (otoplasty)
Otoplasty, also called prominent ear correction, is a cosmetic operation to correct ears that stick
out. It can help when someone is self-conscious about the shape or size of their ears, has been
teased about their ears, or has ears of different shapes. The aim of the surgery is to help the
person feel more comfortable with how their ears look.
Who is this operation for?
Children and adults can have surgery for prominent
ears, but children need to wait until they are about
5 years old.
If a baby is born with prominent or folded ears then
their ears can be reshaped into a more normal
shape with splinting. It needs to happen in the
baby's first four weeks, as after this age the
cartilage does not respond to splinting.
Not all children with prominent ears need corrective
surgery. If a child is not concerned about their ears,
or has a confident personality, then they usually
don't need surgery. They can also hide prominent
ears behind a longer hairstyle.
Adults don't often have surgery for prominent ears in the public health system. This surgery is
done by an ENT surgeon, also called an otolaryngologist (ot-o-lar-in-gol-o-gist).
You may choose to pay to see a private otolaryngologist.
What does the operation involve?
Your GP can refer you to the Timaru Hospital ENT Department to see if your child meets the
criteria for treatment under the public health system.
For children, the surgery is done under general anaesthetic. Adults who have this operation tend
to have a local anaesthetic, which numbs the area being operated on. Children and adults both go
home on the day of surgery.
If your child is having surgery, on the day of the operation you will meet the surgeon and the
anaesthetist. Your child and one parent will then go into the operating theatre, where you can
stay until your child is asleep. You then wait in the day surgery area during the operation.
The surgery involves making a cut on the back of the ear, which exposes the cartilage under the
skin. The cartilage can then be reshaped using cuts and stitches to hold the ear in the desired
HealthInfo reference: 170126
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Issued: 8 May 2015
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Page 1 of 2
Prominent ear surgery (otoplasty)
www.healthinfo.org.nz
shape. The surgeon then closes the cut with stitches and covers the ears and scalp with a
bandage.
Occasionally problems develop after the surgery. These can include bleeding, wound infection,
poor scarring, or an ear shape that isn't any better or that gets worse. More surgery might be the
only way to fix these problems. However, they are rare – most operations go to plan and give
pleasing results that last.
What happens after surgery?
After surgery, both parents can join the child in the recovery room. When your child wakes up
they will be moved back to the day surgery area. Later they will go home, with a prescription for
pain relief medicine, instructions for how to care for them, and a follow-up appointment.
It's normal to be a bit uncomfortable after surgery, but pain relief medicines can control this. The
bandage will be taken off at the first follow-up appointment, usually about a week after surgery.
Until then your child (or you, if you have had the operation) need to avoid doing anything that
takes a lot of physical effort. Your child should stay away from school during this week.
When the bandage comes off, the ears will still be a little bruised, swollen, and tender. It's best to
avoid contact sports for the first month after surgery. There will always be scars on the back of
the ear, however they usually heal well and are well hidden from view.
If you or your child are unwell in the week after surgery (for example, pain is getting worse, fever
or chills develop, there is bleeding through the bandage or the bandage falls off), contact your GP
immediately.
Written by a Canterbury plastic surgeon. Approved by clinical director, Plastic Surgery, and clinical director,
Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Canterbury DHB. Adapted by the South Canterbury DHB. May
2015.
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HealthInfo reference: 170126
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Issued: 8 May 2015
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