My daughter is eight years old. The other day she came home in tears because the kids at camp were teasing her about her ears. They are large and they stick out from her head. Can you tell me how otoplasty can fix them and what the scarring will be like afterward?
Answer:
Otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure done to place the ears in the proper position. It is best performed at five years of age, before the child enters school, therefore avoiding any teasing. The operation takes about one hour and is done under general anesthesia. Adults may undergo the procedure with local anesthesia. The procedure is done through a small incision behind the ear, which is invisible after it heals. The shape of the ear cartilage is changed by placing small stitches, thus changing the curvature of the ear. The patient goes home after surgery and is able to return to school or work in about five days.