Procedures Menu

Protruding Ear Correction FAQs

What is protruding ear correction?
Protruding ear correction is a surgical procedure designed to pin back or reposition protruding ears.

Who is the best candidate?
The best candidate for protruding ear correction is an adult or child aged four or older in good health with realistic expectations and interested in improving the appearance of protruding ears.

Are there any age restrictions?
Protruding ear correction can be performed on adults and children aged four and over. It's often recommended that the procedure be performed early to reduce the amount of teasing and ridicule a child will endure because of their prominent ears.

Where is the procedure performed?
Protruding ear surgery may be performed in a hospital, a doctor's office, or in an ambulatory surgery center. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), 62% of cosmetic surgery procedures performed by their member doctors in 2004 took place in an office, 21% in a hospital, and 17% in a free-standing ambulatory surgical facility.

What type of anesthesia is used?
General anesthesia is often used when protruding ear correction is performed on young children. This will allow the child to sleep through the procedure. Older children and adults often require only local anesthesia combined with sedation.

How is the actual procedure performed?
There are several different techniques for protruding ear correction. One technique involves a small incision made on the back of the ear, after which the exposed cartilage is sculpted and bent back toward the head. For another technique, a similar incision is made on the back of the ear and then stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself, thus reshaping the ear without removing cartilage.

How long does the actual procedure last?
Protruding ear correction typically takes between two and three hours to complete, though more complicated procedures can take longer.

Where are the incisions made?
The incisions for protruding ear correction are typically made on the back of the ear.

Are there scars?
The scars that result from protruding ear correction are typically faint and well-concealed. They are usually placed on the back of the ear and will fade with time.

Is there much pain?
For a few days after protruding ear correction, the ears may ache or throb. This can be relieved with pain medication prescribed by your surgeon.

What is the recovery like?
Most patients are up and about within a few hours after the protruding ear correction procedure. Immediately after surgery, the head is wrapped in a bulky bandage, which will be replaced with a lighter head dressing after a few days. Stitches are typically removed or dissolve within about a week.

How much time will I need to take off from work or school?
Adult patients are typically able to return to work within about five days after the procedure. Children are able to return to school within about seven days, though they must be careful with playground activity. In general, any activity which risks bending the ear should be avoided for about a month. More strenuous activity should be avoided for one to two months.

When can exercise be resumed?
Strenuous activity and contact sports can be resumed within one to two months after the procedure.

When are the stitches removed after the procedure?
The stitches are typically removed within about a week after the procedure.

What are the risks or complications of protruding ear correction?
All surgery carries some degree of risk. The potential risks that may occur with protruding ear correction include blood clot, excessive scarring, infection, mismatched or artificial-looking ears, and recurrence of the protrusion.

How much does the procedure cost?
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average surgeon/physician fees charged by their member doctors for ear surgery in 2004 was $2339. As a surgeon/physician fee, this does not include the cost of the facility, the anesthesiologist or other related expenses.

Does insurance cover the procedure?
Insurance typically does not cover the cost of cosmetic procedures. Coverage may be available to some degree for procedures involving the repair of abnormal structures of the body. Be sure to check with your own insurance carrier regarding the degree and/or availability of coverage.

Is it possible to get the procedure financed?
Financing is available for facial plastic surgery procedures. Your surgeon should be able to provide you with further information about financing.

What should I look for in a surgeon?
It's important that you do your homework and carefully choose the surgeon to perform your procedure. First, make sure that the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS). This ensures that they've completed the proper training to safely conduct your procedure according ABPS standards. You can visit the ABPS's website at www.plasticsurgery.org to locate a certified plastic surgeon in your area. You should also ask any potential surgeon the following questions:

• Does the surgeon have privileges to perform surgery in an accredited hospital and, if so, which hospitals?
• How many other ear surgeries has the surgeon performed?
• Where and how will the surgery be performed?
• Is the surgical facility accredited by a nation or state-recognized accrediting organization?
• What are the risks of your particular procedure?

Are there any medications that need to be avoided before surgery?
With any surgery, it's important that you monitor your medication and vitamin intake beforehand because some medications can interfere with anesthesia, inhibit recovery, or lead to blood loss or other circulation issues. Make sure that you tell your doctor prior to surgery about all medications, vitamins and herbal supplements that you take. Some medications that you may be required to stop taking may include aspirin, MAOIs, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamin K, vitamin E, evening primrose oil, St. John's Wort, echinacea, melatonin, and others. Your doctor should provide you with more specific preoperative instructions.

If only one ear is protruding, is surgery only performed on that ear?
Protruding ear correction is typically performed on both ears, even when only one ear appears to protrude. This is so that a better balance can be achieved.

Is the hearing affected in any way by the procedure?
Protruding ear correction is only performed on the outer ear. Because the middle and inner ear are not operated on, which is where hearing takes place, the procedure does not affect hearing.

How long do the results last?
The results of protruding ear correction are usually permanent. In rare cases, the protrusion can reoccur and require additional surgery.