Age

Otoplasty can only be carried out once the cartilage of the ear is firm and fully developed. This means that if you are considering surgery for your child, you will have to wait until he or she is at least five years old. Making the decision to have the surgery will then need to be a joint decision for you as a family. It is important to let the child lead the way in order to make the experience as comfortable as possible for them. There is no upper age limit on the surgery, so you can have it at any time as a teenager or adult.

Results

The aim of otoplasty is to pin back the ears into a symmetrical position that blends in with your face shape. The procedure works by cutting and reshaping the ear cartilage. It will usually correct the mis-folding of the cartilage that is the most common cause of prominent ears. Your surgeon will explain what your ears should look like after the procedure so that you know what to expect. This will help you to decide whether the surgery is right for you. Choosing to have ear correction surgery is a very personal decision, so you should think about whether you are ready to go through the procedure in order to achieve this result. It really depends how you feel about your ears.

Risks

Otoplasty is a safe procedure when carried out by a skilled surgeon at a reputable clinic, but there are always risks with any surgical procedure. Potential complications of ear correction surgery include bruising, scarring, infection, and the possibility of the results being slightly asymmetrical after the ears have healed. Your doctor will explain these risks in detail before you decide whether the procedure is right for you.