Prominent Ear Correction for Adults

Prominence of the ears is a cause of social embarrassment and may be surgically corrected. The two commonest problems are the failure of the anti-helical fold in the ear to develop or of the bowl (conchae) of the ear is too large. The surgery can be undertaken either in childhood from the age of 6 years onwards or in adulthood. It may be undertaken either under general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia and is usually performed as a day-case procedure.

There are many different techniques described with the two most common being a posterior sutural correction and an anterior scoring technique. Alternative techniques are used to address specific areas such as large pendulous earlobes, excessively large conchal bowls or large upper portions of the ear.

At the initial consultation with Mr Sawyer after discussing the specific concerns a full medical and surgical history will be obtained. Details regarding the operation, the aims, the limitations, the recovery and the risks will be discussed. Before the operation (if being undertaken as an in-patient) you will usually attend for a pre-operative nurse-led assessment. You may require a blood test. Any significant health problems not previously identified may be discussed with Mr Sawyer or the anaesthetist (if under general anaesthetic) and a further assessment may be required to determine suitability for the procedure.

You are most likely to benefit from an otoplasty if one or more of the following conditions apply to you.

• You are self-conscious about the size or shape of your ears.

• You are being teased and this is causing you distress. If your ears are only a little unusual, an otoplasty will not make much difference and the teasing may continue. It may be better to get help with your social skills so you can cope with teasing.

• You have unusually-shaped ears, ears that are large and stick out (‘bat ears’) or ears that are different from each other (asymmetry).

Otoplasty will not improve your physical health. For this reason, the operation should be performed only if the aim is to improve your self-confidence and to make you more comfortable with your appearance.

To optimise the result and minimise the risks several factors should be considered. Smokers have a much higher risk of developing complications. It is therefore advised that they should refrain from smoking for ideally four weeks before, and four weeks following surgery.

Patients should also avoid Aspirin and equivalent anti-inflammatory agents for two weeks before surgery as these can increase the risk of bleeding.

There are no restrictions on driving.

However, many patients find that the bandage is embarrassing and therefore, refrain from work for 1 week, but you may want to wait for another 1 to 2 weeks until it is difficult to tell that they have had surgery.

Advice regarding this will be given at the initial consultation.