Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to change the shape, size or position of the ears to improve aesthetic appearance, functionality or both. It can bring the floppy ears (bosses) closer to the head and improve the aesthetic appearance, correct abnormalities such as large ear size (macroscopic) or small (microscopic), and missing folds such as the absence of antler or asymmetry.
In addition, otoplasty is performed in cases of injuries that have affected the shape or position of the ears. Less commonly, it is used for the effects of otitis externa, an infection that affects the external auditory canal, which is the canal leading from the eardrum to the outside of the ear and usually affects swimmers.
Otoplasty
1-2 hours
Reshaping of the ears
Ears
Prominent ears
Surgery to reshape the shape of the ears
Local or general
1 week for return to daily activities, full recovery in 6 weeks
Physical appearance, improved self-confidence
from 1500 €
Prior to surgery, the surgeon will examine the patient's ears for size, shape, and proportion in relation to other facial features, as well as medical history. He will then discuss with the patient, or parents in the case of a minor, the goals of the surgery in order to develop an individualized surgical plan.
In the case of children, general anesthesia is usually used to ensure that they remain asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure. For adults, local anesthesia with sedation is often sufficient.
The surgeon will make an incision behind the ear, in the physical crease where the ear meets the head. This helps to hide any resulting scar tissue. Depending on the needs, incisions may also be made in other places or even within the inner folds of the ear.
The surgeon will then reshape the cartilage of the ear. This could include cutting away some of the cartilage to reduce the size of the ear or implanting cartilage from another part of the body into the ear.
The incisions are then closed with sutures. The surgeon will then close the incisions with absorbable sutures that dissolve over time or sutures that will be removed later.
The patient will receive specific care instructions and will return home after an appointment is made where the doctor will review the healing process.
The ear flap is made up of cartilage and skin and has the following parts, including:
Otoplasty involves various techniques to change the shape, resize or reposition the ears to address aesthetic issues.
1. Otoplasty for floppy ears (ears at the base of the ear)
This is the most common type of otoplasty and is used to correct protruding ears. During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision behind the ear to expose the ear cartilage. The cartilage is then reshaped to reposition the ear closer to the head.
2. Ear reduction (Macrotia)
Reductive otoplasty aims to reduce the size of the ears when they are longer or wider than average, a condition called macroscopy. During the procedure, the surgeon removes skin and cartilage from the helix and back of the ear to shrink the overall size of the ear. The remaining structures are then sculpted and repositioned in order to bring the ears into harmony with the rest of the facial features.
3. Ear augmentation (Microtia)
Augmentation otoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to reconstruct an ear when it is underdeveloped or non-existent, a condition called microtia. During the procedure, the surgeon takes a graft of cartilage, usually from the patient's ribs, to construct a new ear. It will likely take more than one surgery to complete, until an ear is created that is in harmony with the size and shape of the other ear and is placed naturally on the head.
4. Lobe restoration
This technique addresses problems with the earlobes, such as tears from earrings, injury, expansion or hypertrophy of the lobe. The surgeon removes the unnecessary tissue through incisions and then uses sutures to reconnect the tissue and give the lobe a new shape.
5. Asymmetry, injuries
The surgeon uses specialized techniques tailored to the specific nature of the deformity, which may be related to cartilage deficiency, deformed structures, asymmetry or other congenital deformities. These more complex conditions may require cartilage transplantation, tissue reconstruction or a combination of approaches to achieve the final result.Childhood otoplasty
Otoplasty in childhood
Otoplasty can be performed at any age once the ears are fully developed. This is usually at the age of 5-6 years where 85%-90% of ear development is complete, which allows young children to have the procedure if necessary.
One of the advantages of otoplasty at a young age is that the cartilage is extremely flexible, allowing for greater ease in shaping the ear. In addition, surgery at a young age can prevent potential psychological distress from teasing or bullying associated with floppy or misshapen ears.
Typically, otoplasty is performed in children between the ages of 6 and 14 years old. The procedure is recommended at as young an age as possible, as the child is likely to recover more quickly and enjoy the results for longer, avoiding the psychological impact of the ill-tempered comments from peers at school.
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Otoplasty is a safe procedure, but as with any surgery, you can expect some minor complications. Common side effects include:
The vast majority of patients recover from otoplasty without complications. Quite rarely, more serious complications after otoplasty have been reported in medical practice, which are also transient or treatable, such as:
After otoplasty, follow these tips to have a more comfortable and shorter recovery:
For simple otoplasty procedures, such as floppy ears or ear reduction, you can wash your hair 2-3 days after your surgery. For more complex procedures, such as asymmetry correction or ear augmentation, you may need to wait 5-7 days.
The final results of your otoplasty, depending on the extent and type of procedure, may take 2-3 weeks or longer in some complex cases to complete.
Although discomfort is to be expected after otoplasty, pain is effectively managed with simple painkillers and prescription anti-inflammatory medications. Most patients report mild to moderate discomfort in the first 2-3 days after surgery.
The recovery timeline varies depending on the body's ability to heal and the extent of the surgery. In general, patients return to their normal activities within a few weeks after surgery and full recovery is usually achieved within a few months.
According to research, the average length of ears averages 6.24 cm in males and 5.84 cm in females. The width is 55% of the length of the ear, with an average of 3.55 cm in men and 3.34 cm in women.
Otoplasty incisions are placed by the surgeon in a way that minimises their visibility. Over time, any scars fade and smooth out with the skin tone.
There is no upper age limit for having an otoplasty. However, elderly patients should be thoroughly evaluated to determine physiological suitability for surgery.
The time to return to work or school varies depending on individual healing rates and the nature of the work or activities involved. In general, most patients can return to light activities within 1 week after surgery.
The results of otoplasty are generally permanent, with the ears retaining their new shape and position indefinitely.
Non-surgical otoplasty uses sutures to correct minor problems in floppy ears and other deformities. Unlike traditional otoplasty, it is a minimally invasive method, with no recovery time or visible scarring. The advantages of non-surgical otoplasty include reduced risk of infection or damage and less pain.
However, the results are not always permanent or as impressive as those of traditional otoplasty. In addition, the surgeon has less control over the final shape and is not recommended in any case for severe ear deformities.
Laser otoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure compared to traditional surgery. The main advantage of the laser is that it thins out the cartilage without creating extensive incisions. It can be performed alone or in combination with a scalpel, and is usually performed under local anaesthesia. However, the use of lasers is not suitable for complicated procedures such as macroscopy, and the cost of the procedure is usually higher than traditional surgery.
Otoplasty focuses mainly on reshaping the outer part of the ear for aesthetic purposes and does not directly address hearing loss. However, in cases where genetic deformities of the ear prevent sound conduction, otoplasty can indirectly improve the associated hearing deficits.
Dr. Ioannis Dalianoudis is an experienced plastic surgeon, a graduate of the University of Ioannina with a professional career that includes work in several countries, including France, Denmark and Ireland. Specializing in plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, he trained in Germany in facial cosmetic surgery. He has performed a variety of procedures including eye surgery, facelift, rhinoplasty, bariatric surgery recovery and body contouring. In addition, he is a member of the "European Board of Plastic Surgery (EBOPRAS)" and is dedicated to patient satisfaction, making him a trusted choice for plastic surgery seekers. His dedication to patient satisfaction, his expertise and his vast experience in the Greek and international arena make him a reliable choice for those looking for plastic surgery.
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