Otoplasty

During your consultation with one of our board-certified surgeons, we will discuss how we can improve the appearance of your ears. While we will strive to achieve your ultimate aesthetic goal, genetic limitations may mean it might not be possible to achieve perfect symmetry. We’ll provide you with a greater understanding of the results and the surgical process, and you’ll be able to view before and after photos of previous patient’s surgeries to gain a greater insight into the results you can expect to achieve.

The operation doesn’t require an overnight stay and requires local anaesthesia. A small incision is made behind the ear to expose the cartilage. This incision type means that the scar will be virtually undetectable, hidden within the natural crease behind the ear.

We then reshape, remove and reposition the ears by moving small pieces of cartilage. Finally, the surgeon will stitch the ear position closer to the head.

For torn earlobe repair, the surgeon will remove the hole and restitch the ear with sutures. These sutures will dissolve over time.

The ears are one of the first features of the body to grow to their full size. So, if it’s possible to have an otoplasty procedure at a younger age, we recommend doing so – this would also allow the small scars to fade over time while there is still an abundance of collagen.

There are many techniques and approaches to ear surgery, depending on the aesthetic concerns. Sometimes this involves correcting asymmetry or deformity of the ear, such as the ‘cauliflower ear’. This condition often occurs as a result of contact sports like rugby or boxing and refers to a build-up of fibrous tissue that deforms the ear, resembling a ‘cauliflower’.

Ear restructuring surgery such as ‘torn earlobe repair’ is beneficial for those who have enlarged ear piercing holes which have stretched the earlobes due to wearing heavy earrings or have been torn due to some form of trauma.

The results of your surgery will be immediate, but final results will show after around three months to a year. Complete healing varies from patient to patient.

You may experience soreness and a throbbing sensation for the first few days after the otoplasty procedure, which can be relieved with pain relief medication.

We require you to wear a full head bandage to support your ears in their new position for seven to ten days.

You should avoid physical or high impact sports for at least three months after your surgery, and swimming for up to two months after surgery.

The overall recovery time is relatively short for this procedure (though it varies from patient to patient). Most adults can return to work within around five days after surgery.

For torn earlobe repair, scarring may be more visible, but will gradually fade. Ears can be re-pierced two months after the operation has taken place, providing they heal well.

The procedure is fast and efficient, generally only taking one to two hours.

You may experience mild bruising and swelling for around two weeks. Numbness can also persist for several weeks.

Discomfort, soreness and a stiff sensation can last for several months.

If your procedure involves torn earlobe repair, you may also experience:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• An indent at the surgical site
• scarring at the incision site