Otoplasty (prominent ear correction)

The standard operation involves an incision behind the back of the ear and some internal sutures to reshape the cartilage of the ears thereby holding them in place. This involves incisions made in the fold behind the ears to minimise the chance of visible scarring.

A newer alternative procedure called earFold involves a small cut to the outer ear, hidden at the rim, through which a shaped metal implant is inserted to recreate the fold of the ear. The procedure is generally done in outpatients rather than a full operating theatre.

Standard Otoplasty usually takes around one and a half hours, whereas the earFold technique takes around thirty minutes. It is usually performed under local anaesthetic (awake) but can be performed under general anaesthetic (asleep) if you prefer.

• Analgesia (pain relief) – Ibuprofen and paracetamol can be taken
• ​Daily tepid showers will be possible after 48hours
• ​The hospital or surgeon should be contacted if you develop a temperature or in rare cases of bleeding or rapid swelling
• ​Patients should take care not to over exert themselves in the first few weeks and to keep pressure off the wounds
• ​Wounds will be checked and sutures removed normally at 1 week
• ​I will see you routinely at 1, 2 and 6 weeks after surgery
• Dressing care nurses may see you more often
• ​Swelling reduces after a few weeks