Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure intended to improve the overall shape and position of the ears. This can be accomplished by either removing cartilage to reshape the ears or by pinning back the ears if they awkwardly protrude from the face. The operation can be performed on anyone with fully developed ears which usually occurs around the age of five. Adults will often get ear surgery in conjunction with other facial procedures including a face lift, brow lift or chin implants.

How Ear Surgery is Performed

Ear surgery is performed by making an incision to the back of the patient’s ear where the hard cartilage is located. Sometimes incisions are needed in the front of the ear as well; in these cases they are made along the natural curves of the ears in order to avoid visible scars. The cartilage is then reshaped and or sutured into place where it will form to a natural shape. The incisions are then closed up usually with absorbable sutures in order to improve patient comfort.

Length of Procedure and Required Treatments

The length of ear surgery generally runs anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on the individual patient needs.

Recovering from Ear Surgery

Ear surgery recovery can take several weeks but adults can usually expect to return to work in a week and children can expect the same amount of time to return to school. For the first week the patient is required to wear bandages covering the ears. Swelling can also be expected at this time. Overall the recovery process for ear surgery is quite mild compared to other types of plastic surgery.

Risks of Ear Surgery

Otoplasty performed by a skilled plastic surgeon is relatively safe; however you should always keep certain risks in mind even if they are rare. Risks that can arise from having ear surgery include the following: infection, ear distortion, blood clots and in extremely rare cases loss of hearing.

Cost of Ear Surgery

Factoring in facility fees, anesthesia fees and surgeon fees, you can expect to pay in the general range of $3,500-$8,000. Consult with local plastic surgeons near you for more accurate costs as many factors can contribute to fluctuation costs. These factors include location of surgery, surgeon performing the operation and individual patient needs.

Is Ear Surgery Right for You?

If you are in relatively good health, your ears are fully grown, you do not smoke and you wish to change the size or shape of your ears than chances are you qualify for the surgery.

How to Find Board Certified Otoplasty Surgeons Near You

Choosing the right otoplasty surgeon can be a daunting task. Surgeons vary greatly in skill, experience and price. It is imperative that you speak with more than 1 surgeon before having a surgery performed on you. Don’t just shop for the best price, although a well priced surgery is a bonus, it is important that you feel comfortable with the surgeon you choose and confident that they will do the job right. Visit our plastic surgeon directory for 5 Star Surgeon Network Approval Rated™ Surgeons near You.