Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Information

Qualifications

In general, good candidates for otoplaty are:

  • Healthy and do not have medical conditions that impair healing

  • Nonsmokers

  • Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic expectations

  • Children at least 5 years of age

Preparation

In preparing for ear surgery, you may be asked to:

  • Get lab testing or a medical evaluation

  • Take certain medications or adjust your current medications

  • Stop smoking

  • Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements because they can increase bleeding and bruising

  • Arrange for a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery and to stay with you the first night following surgery

Recovery

Patients must wear a headband at night for about 2 weeks.

Although infrequent, the risks and complications of ear surgery include:

  • Asymmetry (unevenness between two sides)

  • Recurrence of ear protrusion

  • Hematoma (localized bleeding outside of blood vessels)

  • Deformation of the ear contour

Unlikely Complications