Ear correction

With protruding ears, the ear cartilage is not sufficiently folded, especially at the fold opposite the edge of the pinna (anthelix fold). This is not a disease, but a variation in shape. However, since both adults and children with protruding ears are teased, it makes sense and is possible to perform plastic surgery on the ears with a pinna plasty. After the age of 5, auricular growth is complete and ear correction is possible before the child starts school.

Overview of ear corrections:

• Ear correction (otoplasty)
• Auriculoplasty
• Ear pinning (otopexy)
• Ear reduction
• Ear augmentation
• Ear reshaping
• Earlobe correction
• Earlobe reduction
• Earlobe lift
• Closure of tunnels in the ear
• Cracked or torn earlobes
• Ear malformation
• Correction of protruding ears
• Ear correction for babies and children
• Post-correction of pre-operated ear reconstruction

How is the surgery performed for protruding ears?

In most cases, the main fold of the ear is not sufficiently kinked. For this reason, this main fold is reinforced. This is achieved by making an incision on the back of the ear, through which the cartilage is reduced – and folded with sutures. The ear is then treated with a head bandage.

Form of anesthesia, hospital stay?

For children under 10 years of age, this operation should always be performed under anesthesia in the clinic with a short inpatient stay. The children are usually unable to control themselves, the unfamiliar surroundings frighten them and an operation is not possible. If the children are older than 10 years, the procedure can also be performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, as these children are more amenable to explanations and reassurance.

The time after the operation

On the day of the operation itself, pain may occur in the afternoon after the local anesthetic has worn off. Painkillers such as Novalgint drops or paracetamol help on this day. The pain has almost completely subsided by the following day.
The operated ears are immobilized with a head bandage for 2-3 days. The dressing is removed after this time and no further dressing is required. After this time, the hair can also be washed again. In the following 4-6 weeks, a tennis headband should be worn, especially at night, so that you do not lie on the freshly operated ear and tear out stitches by kinking.

Risks and complications

It is possible that if the headband is lost at night, one ear may fall off and a thread may break. If this happens, a new suture can be inserted with a small procedure and the folded ear can be brought back into the operated position.

The skin of the ear is very well supplied with blood, in rare cases this can lead to post-operative bleeding. Cartilage infections or infections of the skin after this operation are rare due to the good blood circulation. The sensitivity of the ears to touch may be limited for a few weeks. This is because cutaneous nerves are severed at the back of the ear. Until they have grown back, even hypersensitivity may occur temporarily. After 3-4 days, the symptoms have subsided to such an extent that the child can usually go back to school. The same applies to the ability to work in adults.

For outpatient procedures, you will be given an emergency number after the operation so that you can reach us day and night. Otherwise, the first check-up is carried out after 2-3 days, when the dressing is removed. The stitches on the back of the ear are removed after 8-10 days.