When ear surgery is performed by a qualified, experienced surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Nevertheless, as with any operation, there are risks associated with surgery and specific complications associated with this procedure. A small percentage of patients may develop a blood clot on the ear. It may dissolve naturally or can be drawn out with a needle.

Occasionally, patients develop an infection in the cartilage, which can cause scar tissue to form. Such infections are usually treated with antibiotics; rarely, surgery may be required to drain the infected area. Cartilage has memory and rarely recurrence of the deformity can occur.

Most surgeons recommend that parents stay alert to their child’s feelings about protruding ears; don’t insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.

In the initial meeting, A/Prof Coombs will evaluate your child’s condition, or yours if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. A/Prof Coombs will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery.

Ear surgery is usually performed as a day procedure. Occasionally, A/Prof Coombs may recommend that the procedure be done as an inpatient procedure, in which case you can plan on staying overnight in the hospital.

A/Prof Coombs recommends general anaesthesia, so your child will sleep through the operation. For adults, occasionally A/Prof Coombs may prefer to use local anaesthesia combined with sedation.

Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that can be helped with surgery. These include: “lop ear,” when the tip seems to fold down and forward; “cupped ear,” which is usually a very small ear; and “shell ear,” when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and wrinkles. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without them or who lost them through injury.

Sometimes, however, the correction can leave a scar that’s worse than the original problem. Ask A/Prof Coombs about the effectiveness of surgery for your specific case.

(This information is courtesy of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons)

Ear surgery usually takes about 1 – 1 1/2 hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.

With one of the more common techniques, the surgeon makes an incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He or she will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete.

Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear. Skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage. In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.

Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery. It is rare to stay in hospital overnight for this type of surgery.

The patient’s head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best moulding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication.

After a week, the bulky bandages will be removed. Occasionally, A/Prof Coombs suggests wearing a headband at night.

Stitches are usually  will dissolve, in about a week.

Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they’re careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child’s teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.