What is an Otoplasty

Otoplasty is a procedure to correct an ear or ears that look abnormal. Most often, this is done to correct ears that stick out farther than normal. Ears are made of a firm but flexible tissue (cartilage).

Skin covers the cartilage tightly. During otoplasty, the surgeon will split cartilage or remove cartilage to change the shape and position of the ears.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Formation of a blood clot between the cartilage and skin (hematoma).
• Nerve damage that causes numbness.
• Scarring.
• Pain that lasts beyond recovery.
• Too much or too little correction, which may require a second surgery.

What happens before the procedure?

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

General instructions

• Ask your health care provider about:
  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.
  • Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
• You may have photos taken of your ears. Be sure to talk with your surgeon about the results that you can expect from this procedure.
• Ask your health care provider how your surgical site will be marked or identified.
• You may be asked to shower with a germ-killing soap.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
• Plan to have a responsible adult care for you for at least 24 hours after you leave the hospital or clinic. This is important.

What happens during the procedure?

• To lower your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
  • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
• Your surgeon will make an incision in the natural skin fold behind your ear.
• Some skin behind the ear will be removed.
• Cartilage will be removed or reshaped.
• Permanent stitches (sutures) will be placed to hold the ear in its new shape.
• The incision will be closed with removable sutures.
• A supportive dressing will be placed over the ear.
• If both ears are being done, the same procedure will be done on the other ear.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.

Summary

• Otoplasty is a procedure to correct an ear or ears that look abnormal. Most often, this is done to correct ears that stick out farther than normal.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking before the procedure.
• Permanent stitches (sutures) will be placed to hold the ear in its new shape.

Otoplasty, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Mild pain.
• An itchy feeling under the bandage (dressing).
• Some bruising and swelling.

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. You will need to return to your health care provider within a few days after the procedure to have the dressing changed. After that, make sure you:
  • Do not change your dressing unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
  • If you are told to change your dressing, wash your hands with soap and water before you change the dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Leave stitches (sutures) in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.

Headband

• Wear a headband as told by your health care provider. After your dressing has been removed, you may need to wear a headband that covers your ears for a few weeks.
• Remove the headband only as told by your health care provider. At first, you may only be allowed to remove it when you take a bath or a shower.

Bathing

• Keep the dressing dry.
• When you take a shower or a bath, cover your ear with a watertight covering.
• Do not swim or put your head or ear in water until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider when it is okay to get the incision wet.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Ask your health care provider when it is safe for you to drive.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain around your incision.
  • Fluid or blood coming from your incision.
  • Pus or a bad smell coming from your incision.
  • Chills or a fever.
• You have increasing pain or pain that is not controlled with medicine.
• Your incision feels warm to the touch.

Summary

• After the procedure, it is common to have mild pain, an itchy feeling under the bandage (dressing), and some bruising and swelling.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Do not change your dressing unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Wear a headband as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.