Ear surgery - Otoplasty Continued

How it is done

Ear surgery most often starts with general anesthesia, particularly for children, a local anesthesia may be used in older patients. The surgeon creates an incision just behind the ear where it meets the rest of the head. This is done to minimize visible scarring. Finally, cartilage and skin are removed to reshape the ear, pulling it back toward the side of the head to create the desired effect. In some cases, the cartilage is reshaped, then permanent sutures are used to “pin back” the ear. A surgeon may also decide to use sutures alone pull the ear back, thus reducing its profile.

Potential Risks

As with any surgery, there are risks involved with ear surgery. The most common complications associated with otoplasty are swelling, bruising, scarring, infection and blood clots. In the case of infection or blood clots, these may require a further procedure to remove any liquid which may affect the area. These are most often caused by an unusual reaction to the permanent sutures. In rare cases, these sutures have been known to work their way to the surface and must be removed.