Toronto Cosmetic Surgery - Otoplasty

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Protruding Ear Treatment

This surgery is a procedure used to "pin back" or reposition protruding ears. This problem frequently causes deep emotional scarring rather than physical impairment in the younger child just starting school and often goes unnoticed by parents. Repositioning the ears can significantly improve the patient's quality of life by preventing the psychological trauma which could occur if left untreated. There is little discomfort with this surgery.

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More About Protruding Ear Correction

The best candidate for protruding ear correction is an individual who is physically healthy, realistic in their expectations, and looking to improve the appearance of large or prominent ears. This surgery is most often performed on children between the ages of four and fourteen. It's often said that the earlier the surgery, the better because children will endure less teasing and ridicule due to their prominent ears. However, the surgery is also performed on adults.

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Protruding ear correction is typically an outpatient procedure and can be performed in a doctor's office-based facility, a hospital, or an outpatient surgical center. It typically takes between two and three hours to complete, though more complicated procedures may take longer. Young patients usually receive general anesthesia while older children and adults may only require local anesthesia combined with sedation.

After surgery, the head is typically wrapped in a bulky bandage which will be replaced with a lighter, headband-like dressing within a few days. It's common for the ears to throb or ache for several days, though pain medication can be prescribed to help relieve any discomfort. Swelling, redness and numbness can also occur. The stitches are usually removed or dissolve on their own in about a week. Most patients can return to work or school within five to seven days. More strenuous activities, including contact sports, should be avoided for one to two months. It's also important to avoid any activity that can bend the ear for at least a month.

All surgery carries some degree of risk. The potential complications that can occur with protruding ear correction include blood clot, excessive scarring, infection, mismatched or artificial look, recurrence of the protrusion, and the need for additional surgery.

Otoplasty to correct protruding ears.