Otoplasty can be a life-changing procedure – surgically reshaping protruding ears or minor ear deformities. Often ear deformities can be present from birth: ‘sticking out’ features, one ear unsymmetrical, one ear larger than another, or in some cases, caused by injury. Regardless of age, otoplasty is the ear changing procedure working to harmonise features and restore greater balance and natural shape to ears for many people.
Ear surgery is tailored to the individual, and not everyone is suited to otoplasty.
Children who are best suited will be . . .
- In good health with no life-threatening illness or ongoing chronic ear infections.
- Able to communicate their thoughts and feelings well.
- Older than five years of age – when cartilage is stable.
Suited adults and teens will be . . .
- In good health with no life-threatening illness or medical conditions.
- Have a clear understanding of their situation and goals ahead.
- Non-smokers and lead a well-balanced lifestyle.
Commonly, many people are concerned that otoplasty may affect their hearing. And while the scale of the ear is responsible for directing sound into the ear canal, the adjustments to cartilage during otoplasty surgery are made in such a way that they preserve natural sound transmission.
Typically, the procedure involves our plastic surgeon removing the excess skin and cartilage, cartilage is then reshaped and contoured and folded into position to suited shape and size. To ensure incisions remain discreet, they are typically made on the back surface of the ear, so scars are hidden in the natural crease. Once surgery is complete, dressings are applied and cotton wool packed into the folds and hollows to support the skin to the underlying cartilage and simultaneously minimise the blood pooling and collecting.
Otoplasty typicallytakes one-to-two hours to complete and costs between $10,000 to $14,000, undergeneral anaesthetic in our private clinic. Under local anaesthetic you can canexpect to pay approximately $6,000 to $7,000.
While local anaesthesia typically wears off within six hours of the procedure, mild pain is treated thereafter with over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol. Bandages and dressings stay in place for up to two weeks. Surgeons may recommend wearing a soft headband for up to six weeks to provide additional support while the ears heal and settle into place. During these first six weeks avoiding all contact sports is essential. Swelling will subside across several months and is a completely normal expectation for this type of operation. It is common to feel tenderness – especially if ears are bumped – or slight numbing across this time period.
