Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Jefferson K. Kilpatrick, MD | Russell B. Stokes, MD | Hannah Parbst, Esthetician

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty is typically performed to set prominent ears back closer to the head, or to reduce the size of large ears. Surgery may be helpful for “lop ear,” “cupped ear” and “shell ear,” large or stretched earlobes, and lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons are also able to construct new ears for patients who are missing them due to injury or other causes.​

Why Choose Ear Surgery?

• Bring proportion to the face if the ears “stick out” too much.
• Correct folded ear tips (lop ear).
• Reshape long or offset earlobes.
• Enhance very small ears or other congenital defects.
• Remedy an accidental injury, including the loss of an ear.

Most often, ear surgery is performed on children between the ages of four to fourteen.  Ears that “stick out” are often the source of teasing and ridicule in young children which can have a devastating effect on the child’s psyche. It may also be performed on older patients.

The procedure lasts from two to three hours and can be done under local or general anesthesia.

Recovery

After surgery, large bandages will be wrapped around the head to secure the ear in place and assist with the healing process. The bandages are usually removed within a week and replaced with smaller dressings.

Recovery is usually quite straightforward, and patients are usually quite happy with their new ears! 

Jefferson K. Kilpatrick, MD – Russell B. Stokes – Hannah Parbst, Esthetician