Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)

About Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)

Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the cartilage of the outer ear, most commonly to set prominent ears closer to the head or to correct irregularities in ear shape or size present from birth or caused by injury. The surgeon typically makes an incision behind the ear, then scores, folds, or sutures the cartilage into a more natural position before closing the incision so any resulting scar is hidden in the natural crease. The procedure can be done under local anesthesia with sedation in adults or general anesthesia in children, and usually takes one to two hours for both ears. It is one of the few cosmetic procedures commonly performed on children, generally once ear cartilage has sufficiently developed, often to address self-consciousness before school years. Recovery involves a padded head dressing for the first few days, followed by a lighter headband worn at night for several weeks to protect the new position while healing. Swelling and mild discomfort settle within one to two weeks. Families traveling to India for a child's otoplasty generally plan a short stay covering surgery and the initial dressing change.