Otoplasty (Auriculoplasty) or Ear Surgery

Frequenty Asked Questions

Otoplasty is a simple plastic surgery procedure which corrects the shape and size of the ears.

This procedure is commonly used to pin back protruding ears, reposition lop ears, or correct deformities caused by trauma.

Prominent ears are the cause of severe complexes mostly in children and teenagers, but also in adults. This surgery can be performed at any age after the ears have reached full size, usually around six years of age. If performed at this time, the procedure may help prevent a child from being the target of practical jokes by their schoolmates.

Otoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis. A local anesthetic will generally be used to numb the areas subject to surgery, and the patient will also be put under sedation to be out of pain and relaxed, though awake, during the procedure.

Local anesthesia with sedation is being increasingly used in both the U.S.A. and Argentina because it is less harmful and safer than general anesthesia, and also enables the patient to have a much more comfortable recovery period.

In the case of children, however, general anesthesia is used during this type of surgery and hospitalization is required.

Recovery is fast and discomfort post-operatively is minimal. Whatever discomfort there may be is short-lived.

Most patients go back to their daily routines two or three days after the procedure is performed. Even so, surgeons usually recommend patients to avoid strenuous physical activities in the first days after the procedure.

Moreover, it is advisable for patients to wear an elastic bandage during the first days of the post-surgery period.

The procedure consists of an incision on the back side of the ear, whereupon the resulting scar is covered by hair until it becomes practically invisible.