Otoplasty

Otoplasty is a common surgery performed for patients with prominent or the so called “dumbo” ears. This is also sometimes performed as a reconstructive surgery for patients with ear deformities post-accident and surgery.

Prominent ear deformity affects the self-esteem of patients. Young patients may also be subjected to incessant teasing and bullying by friends and fellow classmates. As such, surgery is recommended before the child reaches school going age. At the age of 6 , the child’s ear is almost fully grown and is hence suitable for surgery.

For a child, the procedure is performed under intravenous sedation administered by an anesthetist for maximal patient safety and comfort. For an adult, this procedure can be performed under local anesthesia at the clinic.

It typically involves a small stab incision at the front of the ear and a longer incision and the back of the ear. Both scars will fade with time and will become hardly noticeable with age. The front incision allows the cartilage to be moulded and the back incision allows stitches to be placed which holds the ear position in place. The entire surgery takes around one and a half hours. Post surgery, the patient wears a head band for about 1 week and the stitches are removed in about 7-10 days.

Otoplasty is a highly gratifying surgery for patients which recreates the natural shape while bringing balance and proportion to the ear and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound beneﬁts to appearance and self-esteem.