Otoplasty

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UT Southwestern Medical Center plastic surgeons can enhance and repair the appearance of the ear using otoplasty, or ear plastic surgery.

As one of the premier cosmetic and reconstructive surgery clinical and research centers in the country, UT Southwestern leads the way in improvements in surgical techniques to attain a natural look.

What Is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to change the shape, size, or position of the ears. It is often performed to correct structural abnormalities, whether present at birth (congenital) or from trauma. Otoplasty doesn’t change the location of the ears, nor does it affect someone’s hearing.

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Otoplasty?

UT Southwestern surgeons treat adult and pediatric patients with otoplasty. UT Southwestern surgeons use otoplasty procedures to change the folds of the ear. With this surgical treatment, we can also enhance the size of smaller ears, as well as add natural curves and folds when they are absent. We can also recreate or replace an ear lost due to an injury or illness.

All our surgeons have completed extensive training in plastic surgery, studying for an additional six to nine years after completing their medical school education. Our board-certified surgeons have passed rigorous written and oral exams to receive board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

What Are the Different Types of Otoplasty?

The type of otoplasty performed depends on the specific concerns of each patient. The three main types of otoplasty include:

Ear pinning: Brings protruding ears closer to the head, typically by reshaping malformed cartilage
Ear reduction: Reduces the size of oversized ears (macrotia) by removing tissue
Ear augmentation: Increases the size of small or underdeveloped ears (microtia) using cartilage or tissue grafting

Why Do People Get Otoplasty?

Otoplasty can address congenital ear deformities, such as protruding ears, misshapen ears, macrotia, or microtia. The procedure also can repair damage resulting from accidents, sports injuries, and other traumas, as well as revise results from a prior ear surgery.

Overall, patients often choose otoplasty to create better facial symmetry and balance, which can help improve overall appearance and self-confidence.

What’s the Best Age for Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is generally performed after the ears have reached 90 percent of their adult size, typically at or after 4 to 6 years old. This timing aligns with the increased stiffness of the cartilage, which allows for more predictable surgical outcomes.

While the procedure is often performed on children to address early concerns about appearance, adults can also undergo otoplasty for aesthetic or reconstructive purposes.

How Should Patients Prepare for Otoplasty?

UT Southwestern surgeons work closely with patients to ensure they are fully prepared for otoplasty, providing personalized guidance and support throughout the process. Preparation includes reviewing the patient’s medical history and discussing their goals.

Additionally, patients should:

Avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), smoking, and certain supplements to reduce the risk of bleeding and slow healing
Arrange for transportation and postoperative care, as they’ll need someone to drive them home and assist them during recovery

What Can Patients Expect with Otoplasty?

During Otoplasty

The procedure generally takes two to three hours and is performed under general anesthesia.

The surgeon will make incisions (typically behind or within the folds of the ears) to reshape cartilage or remove/add tissue. Internal sutures secure the new shape, and external sutures close the incisions.

Otoplasty can be performed with minimal postoperative bandaging. Using a thin silicone dressing behind the ear provides a more discreet and presentable option than traditional bandaging.

After Otoplasty

After surgery, the ears are covered with protective bandages. Patients may experience soreness, bruising, itching, or swelling. A headband may be recommended at night to protect the ears during sleep.

Follow-up appointments are needed to monitor healing and remove sutures if they are not dissolvable. Most dressings are removed after a few days.

Patients can usually return to regular activities such as work as soon as one day after surgery. Full recovery typically takes six to eight weeks, though visual improvements are noticeable within two to three weeks.

Children may return to school after about one week but should avoid physical activities such as sports or recess for several weeks.

Does Otoplasty Last Forever?

Otoplasty results are generally considered permanent, as the surgical changes made to the ear’s cartilage and tissue are designed to maintain their new shape over time. Once the ears heal, the improvements in their appearance typically last a lifetime. This durability is one of the reasons otoplasty is a popular choice for addressing concerns such as protruding, oversized, or underdeveloped ears.

However, while the structural changes from otoplasty are long-lasting, factors such as aging, trauma, or injury to the ears can potentially alter the results. For example, significant impact or pressure on the ears could disrupt the reshaped cartilage, requiring additional treatment or revision surgery to restore the desired appearance.

Maintaining the results often involves following the surgeon’s postoperative care recommendations, such as avoiding pressure on the ears during recovery.