Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)

Otoplasty reshapes, repositions, or resizes the ears to improve facial harmony. It most often corrects prominent or protruding ears, but also addresses asymmetry, overly large ears (macrotia), and irregularities including some congenital conditions.

What Is Otoplasty?

The procedure reshapes the ear’s cartilage — most often through a small incision hidden behind the ear — to bring the ear closer to the head, correct its shape, or adjust its size. Results are permanent once healed.

Otoplasty is one of the few plastic surgery procedures regularly performed on children, typically once ear growth is complete around age 5 to 6, to help avoid teasing during school years.

Benefits

• Corrects prominent or protruding ears
• Improves symmetry between the ears
• Addresses macrotia or irregular ear shape
• Permanent results after a single procedure in most cases
• Scar is fully concealed behind the ear
• Can be performed on children once ear growth is complete, or on adults at any age

Who Is a Candidate?

You may be a good candidate if you:

• Have ears that protrude noticeably from the head
• Have asymmetry between the ears
• Have ears that appear disproportionately large for the face
• Are in good general health
• Are a child whose ear growth is complete, or a parent seeking correction on their behalf

Recovery & Expectations

Most patients — adults and children alike — return to normal activity within a week. A protective headband or dressing is worn for the first several days, then at night for a few additional weeks to protect the new shape while it sets.

Swelling and firmness around the ear are normal early and settle over several weeks, with final shape apparent well before the scar has fully matured.

Scar Placement & Healing

The incision sits in the crease behind the ear, invisible in normal wear from the front. Scars soften and fade over 12–18 months.