Cosmetic Ear Surgery:  Is It Right for My Child?

Fairfield County and Norwalk, Connecticut

Many children are painfully self-conscious about protruding or unusually shaped ears.  Especially during grade school years, they may suffer teasing by other children about their ears, and this can result in anxiety about their appearance or other lifelong psychological effects. If your child has ears whose appearance, size, or prominence causes embarrassment, you may want to consider cosmetic ear surgery, or otoplasty. 
Otoplasty is the surgical correction of abnormalities in the structure of ears. Reshaping the ears by otoplasty can improve the appearance of ears that protrude from the head or have other unusual characteristics. In children, the procedure is usually done at age 5 or 6, by which time the ears are fully formed, though older children and even adults may benefit from otoplasty.

Otoplasty Can Correct

• Protruding ears – ears that stick out from the head
• Abnormally large ear lobes
• Lop ear – ears whose tip folds down and forward
• Shell ear – ears that are missing their outer rim or other folds

What Happens During Otoplasty?

Otoplasty begins with a small incision behind the ear, so the surgeon can access the cartilage, the stiff connective tissue that shapes the ear. Some cartilage may be cut away, or it may be folded and stitched to reshape it. Afterward the incision site is closed with internal stitches and covered with a gauze bandage.

The entire surgical process is done in two or three hours, though complicated procedures sometimes take longer. During surgery younger children are put to sleep (anesthetized) so they don’t move. Older children receive a sedative and local anesthetic. Most otoplasty is done as an outpatient procedure, so your child will probably go home later the same day.

What About After Surgery?

Your child should stay home from school for at least a week after otoplasty. Dr. Rosen will prescribe pain medication if needed, and maybe an antibiotic to prevent infection. The bandage will be removed after a few days. After that your child will wear a dressing like a headband while sleeping, as the ear continues to heal for another few weeks.

After otoplasty there will be a faint incision scar, well hidden behind the ear. Usually this fades over time.

To Learn More

If you are considering otoplasty for your child, please discuss your surgical options with our caring and knowledgeable staff. Your child’s safety, comfort and happiness are our highest priority. During his 20 years of practice, our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Rosen, and his skilled surgical team have performed hundreds of successful cosmetic and reconstructive procedures in both children and adults. We have state-of-the-art operating facilities on site. We will explain your child’s procedure in clear, unambiguous terms, and work to make sure your child’s surgical experience is a positive, life-enhancing one.

If you think otoplasty may help your child, please contact the cosmetic surgery practice of Dr. Rick Rosen, M.D., F.A.C.S. today to schedule a initial consultation.