Otoplasty – Ear Reshaping Surgery

Ears that have an unusual shape, are asymmetrical, or are visibly protruding from the sides of the head can be a cause of low self-esteem. This is seen especially in children who sometimes have to endure bullying because of the appearance of their ears. For adults, the memories of being bullied when young might still cause some form of trauma in them. Undergoing otoplasty can correct the malformation of your ears and increase your self-confidence as well.

What Is Ear Reshaping Surgery?

Otoplasty (Ear reshaping surgery) is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is performed to alter the position, shape, or size of the ears. 

You can opt to undergo otoplasty if your ear or ears are misshapen due to a birth defect or injury. You can also have the procedure if you are bothered by the appearance of prominent ears sticking out too much from the sides of your head. 

Also known as cosmetic ear surgery, it can be done from the age of five – which is when the ears have fully developed through adulthood. 

A person can consider ear reshaping surgery for the following reasons:

• Ears that are large in proportion to the head (macrotia)
• Prominent ears that stick out too far from the head
• Dissatisfaction with the results of previous ear surgery.

Causes of Ear Deformities

The causes of various types of ear deformities are not yet fully known, but some of the possible contributing factors include:

• Genetic conditions or mutations
• Lack of adequate blood supply to the ears during fetal development
• Exposure to certain medications or toxins
• Viral infections such as rubella or flu

Are you a Good Candidate For Ear Surgery?

A child can be the ideal candidate for ear surgery if he/she:

• Is above five years old or the car cartilage is stable enough for correction
• Is healthy
• Follows instructions well and is cooperative
• Can communicate his/her feelings

Teenagers and adults can be the ideal candidates for ear surgery if:

• They are generally healthy
• Nonsmokers
• Have specific goals and a positive outlook about the surgery

Pre-op Instructions

Before your ear reshaping surgery, your plastic surgeon will give you pre-operative instructions that you need to follow to ensure the surgery is successful. These include:

• Avoid certain medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, herbal supplements, and vitamin E, for two weeks before the procedure
• Do not smoke for two weeks before and after the procedure
• Avoid the sun two weeks before the surgery and use a sunscreen of SPF 50 daily
• Before the surgery purchase a soft headband and Vaseline ointment
• Your post-op medication (pain killers and antibiotics) will be prescribed on the day of the surgery
• Avoid drinking or eating anything after midnight, the night before the surgery
• Arrange for someone to take you home and take care of you for the first 24 hours after the surgery

On the day of the surgery, wear loose-fitting clothing that can fast on the back or in front, do not wear jewelry, eyeglasses, contact lenses, or makeup.

Otoplasty Surgery

Before the ear reshaping surgery, you will undergo a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is skilled in otoplasty. During the consultation, you will undergo a medical history review, and examination of your ears, and discuss the procedure and risks, and your expectations. You can also ask any questions that you might be having about the procedure at this time.

Ear reshaping surgery is an outpatient procedure and depending on the complexity and specifics of the procedure, it can take between 1-3 hours.

Younger children typically receive general anesthesia while teenagers and adults receive local anesthesia with a sedative. 

The surgical technique used during the procedure will depend on the type of otoplasty you are undergoing. Generally, otoplasty involves the following:

• Creating an incision inside the folds of the ear or on the back of the ear
• Manipulating the ear tissue which can involve removing skin or cartilage, folding and shaping cartilage, or grafting cartilage to the ear
• Closing the incisions with sutures

After the procedure, a dressing is placed over the ears and they should always be kept clean and dry. During your recovery, you should try to do the following:

• Do not scratch or touch your ears
• Avoid resting on your ears even when sleeping
• Do not wear clothing that you have to pull over your head.

Types of Otoplasty

There are three primary types of otoplasty and they include:

• Ear augmentation. This is done in cases where the ears are small or have not developed as they should. This procedure is performed to increase the size of the ear.
• Ear pinning. This otoplasty technique is done on people whose ears prominently stick out from the sides of their heads. It involves bringing the ears closer to the head.
•  Ear reduction. This is performed to reduce the size of ears when they are larger than normal.

Post-op Instructions

After your ear reshaping surgery, your plastic surgeon will give you some post-operative instructions which should be strictly followed as they play a large role in the results of the procedure.

They include:

• Always keep the head elevated as this minimizes swelling. You can use an extra pillow or a recliner.
• The head dressing will be replaced a day after the surgery and finally removed five days after the procedure
• You will be given an ointment to apply on the incision sites three times daily for about 2-3 days
• After the dressing is removed you may gently resume shampooing your hair, but be careful and avoid bending the ears
• Glasses may be worn but they should not rest on the incisions
• Light walking may be resumed three days after the surgery and strenuous activities about 3 weeks after the procedure
• School or work may be resumed a week after the surgery but a headband must be kept on at all times
• You can resume swimming 4-6 weeks after the surgery
• Avoid sun exposure, tanning beds, or sun lamps for about 4-6 weeks after the procedure
• Take only prescribed medication

Risks And Complication Of Otoplasty

Like any other type of surgery, ear reshaping has some risks and complications such as infection, bleeding, and adverse reaction to anesthesia. The risks are however rare when the procedure is performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon who is an expert in otoplasty. 

Other risks associated with ear reshaping surgery include:

• Scarring but the scars are usually hidden in the folds of the ears or behind the ears
• Temporary changes in skin sensation
• Asymmetry in-ear placement
• Allergic reactions to materials used during or after the surgery
• Overcorrection may lead to unnatural contours of the ears 
• Problems with stitches may come up to the skin’s surface and need to be removed to avoid inflammation

When Will You See Results After Otoplasty?

It takes some time for the ears to adjust into place after the otoplasty surgery. Each person has a different healing rate depending on the extent of the procedure and general health but most people heal completely after a few weeks. The final results of ear reshaping surgery should be visible within two to three months after the procedure.

What is the cost of otoplasty surgery?

The average starting price of otoplasty at Euromed Clinic Dubai is AED 15, OOO. However, this can vary depending on what the patient desires. You can find out the exact cost during your consultation.

The cost of ear reshaping surgery depends on factors such as:

• The Plastic Surgeon’s expertise and qualifications
• The geographical location of the clinic and reputation
• The otoplasty technique used
• Your expectations from the procedure

Ear Surgery FAQs

Consult Our Otoplasty Surgeon

Do feel the need to have your ears adjusted? At Euromed Clinic Dubai we have a team of Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons who are experts in Ear Reshaping Surgery. In addition to this, we have positive testimonials from patients who have undergone this procedure at our clinic. You can book a consultation with one of our experts by filling out the online form or calling us.

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