Cosmetic ear surgery

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Ear anatomy

Eardrum repair - series

Ear surgery - series

Medical findings based on ear anatomy

Cosmetic ear surgery is performed to move disproportionately large or prominent ears closer to the head.

Otoplasty; Ear surgery - cosmetic

Cosmetic ear surgery is called otoplasty. Thousands of these surgeries are performed successfully each year. The surgery may be done in the surgeon's office, in an outpatient clinic, or in a hospital. It may be done under a local anesthetic, which numbs the area around the ears, or under a general anesthetic, which will cause sleep through the entire operation. The procedure usually lasts about 2 hours.

During the most common method, a surgeon makes a cut in the back of the ear and removes skin to see the ear cartilage. The cartilage is folded. This reshapes the ear, bringing it closer to the head. Sometimes the cartilage is cut before folding it. Stitches are used to close the wound.

The procedure can be done after age 5 or 6,  when ear growth is almost complete. However, if disfigurement is severe (lop ears), a child should have surgery early to avoid possible emotional stress when going to school.

Review Date: 11/10/2005
Reviewed By: Edward W. Chang, MD, DDS, Director of Facial Plastics Surgery Education, Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Columbia University-College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.