What is otoplasty?
Otoplasty is an operation that changes the appearance of the external ear. The operation is most commonly performed for protruding ears. Here is an example of an otoplasty:
What causes protruding ears?
The external ear is a cartilage structure with a covering of thin skin. The cartilage has a complicated set of folds which give the ear its characteristic shape. If one or more of those folds do not develop properly, the ear can protrude from the head or be deformed in other ways. This problem can be present on one side or on both sides.
So it happens during development. Is it hereditary?
Yes. Protruding ears tend to run in families.
What is the surgical procedure to correct protruding ears?
The ears can be repositioned closer to the head by reshaping the cartilage. All of the scars are placed behind the ear where they will not be visible.
When should the operation be done?
Since protruding ears are the only physical deformity that people actually laugh at, they can prompt cruel teasing in the early grades. Children--as well as adults--can become very self conscious about their ears. We therefore recommend that the operation be performed when the patient is around five years old, preferably just before he begins school.
Isn’t five years old too early? Don’t the ears grow and change?
The ears reach ninety percent of their adult size and shape by the age of six. The age of five is the recommended age to have the operation.
But I’m an adult.
Adults can have the same operation. Remember, adult ears are about the same size as children’s. Because an adult is better able to cooperate than a child, he may have the operation performed under local anesthesia with "twilight sleep" sedation, right in our accredited office operating facility.
A young child must be given general anesthesia for an otoplasty. The operation may be performed at either a hospital or a surgicenter. The child need not spend the night in the hospital.
Do you shave any of my hair?
No.
Will the operation affect my hearing?
No.
Will there be any visible scars?
No. The scars are hidden behind the ear.
When will I be able to go home?
If you live out of town, you will be able to go home the day after surgery. An otoplasty is different from some of the other major operations discussed on this Web Site, because there is very little to do at the one-week appointment. The sutures behind the ear are dissolvable, and the ears usually look fine right from when the bandage is removed the morning after surgery. Whereas after a face lift or rhinoplasty, Dr. Denenberg would have to see you one week after surgery, after an otoplasty we would probably be able to make arrangements for you not to have to return to Omaha, if you didn't wish to.
When can I return to school or work?
If your activities require no physical exertion, you may return to school or work as soon as your postoperative fatigue clears, probably two days after surgery. You may want to take off a week or so if you do not wish to have others see you before the minor swelling resolves.
Will insurance pay for the surgery?
Probably not, but in some instances it may, especially with very young children who have severely protruding ears. We will prepare any required forms or photographs.
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