Otoplasty
Ear Reshaping

Otoplasty can be safely performed from around the age of five, when the ear cartilage has reached approximately 85 to 90 percent of its adult size and is still sufficiently pliable to reshape well. Many parents choose to have the procedure done before their child starts school to prevent the social difficulties that prominent ears can cause. Adults of any age are equally good candidates — the anatomy and technique are the same, and the results are equally permanent.

Otoplasty most commonly addresses prominent or protruding ears — caused by a shallow or absent antihelical fold, an overly deep conchal bowl, or a combination of the two. It can also correct ear asymmetry, reduce ear size (macrotia), refine an irregular or overly large earlobe, and address ears that protrude at an uneven angle. Each case is assessed individually, as the specific anatomical causes vary from patient to patient.

The procedure is performed through a small incision in the natural crease behind the ear, giving access to the cartilage. Depending on the anatomy, the cartilage is scored, folded, and secured with permanent sutures to create or deepen the antihelical fold and set the ear back at the appropriate angle. Where the conchal bowl is too deep, excess cartilage may be reduced. Both ears are treated simultaneously, and the result is assessed intraoperatively to ensure symmetry before closure.

Natural results are the foundation of our approach. We aim to create ears with well-defined anatomical folds, balanced projection, and proportionate positioning relative to the head — ears that simply look correct, not ears that have visibly been operated on. Over-correction — where ears are set back too far and appear pinned flat against the head — is a common sign of poor technique that we actively avoid through careful intraoperative assessment and conservative correction.

A padded head dressing is worn for the first 5 to 7 days to protect the ears and maintain their position. After dressing removal, a soft supportive headband is worn at night for a further four to six weeks — particularly important during sleep to prevent the ear from folding forwards. Swelling and bruising typically resolve within two weeks, and most patients are comfortable returning to normal daily activities within 7 to 10 days. Contact sports and activities that risk catching or bending the ear should be avoided for at least six weeks.

Yes — otoplasty produces permanent results. Once the cartilage has been reshaped and secured with sutures, the new ear position is stable for life. There is a small risk of partial recurrence in the early post-operative period if a suture loosens before full healing occurs, but in the vast majority of cases the correction is permanent and requires no further intervention.

The incision is placed entirely in the natural skin crease behind the ear — an area that is not visible from the front or even the side in normal circumstances. The scar heals quietly in this concealed location and, once fully matured, is imperceptible in everyday life. There is no scarring on the visible surface of the ear.