Ear Surgery ( Otoplasty ) : The Procedure Described

Ear Surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia in children. Adults may be more likely to have ear surgery under local anesthesia with sedation that produces a twilight sedated effect in a semi-conscious state. In some cases of general anesthesia, the patient remains overnight at a hospital for observation. The procedure may be performed at our state of the art facility or an affiliated hospital. The procedure requires up to fours or more of time, depending upon the technique required to perform the procedure.

There are a variety of techniques that may be used for ear surgery. We select the technique that is most suitable for the patients’ particular situation. Often, ear surgery entails an incision made behind ear in the natural crease of the juncture between the head and ear. Then, excess skin and cartilage can be reshaped or removed. Finally, the cartilage and skin is sutured back into place. In other cases, the cartilage does not need to be trimmed or removed, allowing for simple reshaping of the cartilage through suturing that will hold the newly refined ear in its proper position. Then, the patient will be bandaged. Ear surgery is usually performed on both ears, regardless of only one ear affected, to produce the most symmetric results. Ear surgery patients will be bandaged to help hold the ears in place.

Ear Surgery Recovery

Ear surgery patients are usually up and around with a few hours following surgery. Within a few days thereafter, the large bandaging is removed and replaced with dressings. Stitches are removed within a week after surgery. Children can usually return to school within a week of surgery and adults require five days. Care must be taken to avoid activities that may involve the ears for at least a month following ear surgery.

Complications are very rare in ear surgery and can be medically managed, including infection, excess scar tissue, and blood clot. Patients are usually satisfied with the aesthetic results of ear surgery and enjoy more productive lives following ear surgery.