Otoplasty — Procedure Guide, Recovery & Risks | MyMedicPlus

Otoplasty (pinnaplasty) is a surgical procedure to reshape or reposition protruding ears closer to the head. It corrects prominent ears caused by excess conchal cartilage or absent/underdeveloped antihelical fold, improving facial balance and self-confidence.

Otoplasty is performed for prominent or bat ears protruding more than 2 cm from the skull, macrotia (oversized ears), traumatic or congenital ear deformity, post-injury reconstruction, and repair of torn earlobes. Surgery is recommended after age 5–6 when ear cartilage is sufficiently developed.

Through an incision behind the ear, the cartilage is sculpted or scored to create an antihelical fold. Mustarde sutures fold the cartilage; Furnas sutures reduce conchal excess and set the ear back. Skin is re-draped and closed. Both ears are treated simultaneously when both are prominent.

A head bandage is worn for 5–7 days to protect the repair. A soft headband is worn at night for 6 weeks. Children return to school in 1–2 weeks; contact sports are avoided for 6 weeks. Swelling and bruising resolve within 2–4 weeks.

Risks include haematoma (1–2%), infection, suture extrusion, asymmetry requiring revision, telephone deformity (over-corrected middle ear), hypertrophic scar or keloid behind the ear, and recurrence of prominence if sutures loosen over time.

Patient satisfaction rates for otoplasty exceed 90%. Recurrence of protrusion occurs in 5–10% of cases, usually due to suture failure, and can be corrected with revision surgery. Results are permanent once cartilage healing is complete at 3–6 months.