Correction of pronounced ears (pinning of ears –otoplasty)
Otoplasty is known as cosmetic ear surgery — is a procedure to change the shape, position or size of the ears.
Patients choose to have otoplasty if they are bothered by how far ears stick out from the head. Some might also consider otoplasty if one ear or both ears are misshapen due to an injury or birth defect.
Otoplasty can be done at any age , but usually after age 5 — through adulthood.
If a child is born with prominent ears and certain other ear-shape problems, wearing a special splint may successfully correct these issues.
Why it’s done
Otoplasty is performed if:
- ear or ears stick out too far from the head
- ears are too large in proportion to the head
- dissatisfied with a previous ear surgery
Otoplasty is typically done on both ears to optimize symmetry.
Otoplasty won’t change ability to hear.
How it is done
Most patients have it under local anaesthetic as a day case. Special permanent stitches are used to retain a new position of the ears. Patients must wear a compression bandana type dressing for few weeks after surgery.
