Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects prominent ear deformity by reducing the angle between the ear and the head, reshaping structures such as the antihelix, or correcting excess cartilage.
What Is Otoplasty and Who Is a Candidate?
Children and adults who experience reduced self-confidence due to their ear appearance, or whose ears protrude noticeably from the head, are candidates for otoplasty.
Age limit: Otoplasty can be performed from approximately age 5 onwards, when the ear cartilage has largely completed its development. There is no upper age limit for adults; the procedure is safe as long as general health permits.
Anaesthesia Options and Surgery Duration
Anaesthesia types:
- General anaesthesia is most commonly preferred for children.
- In adult patients, local anaesthesia with sedation or local anaesthesia alone is possible.
Surgery duration: On average 45–90 minutes; depending on the degree of deformity, it may vary between 1 and 2 hours.
Recovery Process and Care Stages
Bandaging / dressing
- Duration: Large protective dressing for the first 1–3 days
- Purpose: Maintains the initial ear position and prevents haematoma formation
- Key points: Avoid getting the dressing wet; attend all follow-up appointments
Headband / sports band use
- Duration: May be required for the first 2–4 weeks, particularly at night
- Purpose: Prevents the ears from bending while sleeping or during daytime movement
- Key points: The band should not be too tight; follow the duration recommended by your medical professional
Return to work / school
- Duration: Social life and light daily activities are possible within 3–7 days
- Purpose: Tasks that do not involve contact with the ears can be carried out easily
- Key points: Avoid heavy physical activity; keep the ears protected
Sports restriction
- Duration: Avoid vigorous contact sports and activities with a high risk of head impact for 4–6 weeks
- Purpose: The ear is still stabilising; healing is not yet complete
- Key points: Protect the ears with a headband when exercising after the restriction period
Scar visibility
- Duration: The incision behind the ear means the probability of a visible scar is very low
- Expected course: May appear red and slightly raised in the first few weeks
- Key points: Fades over time (within a few months) to become barely noticeable
Risks, Complications, and the Possibility of Revision
- If wound healing is delayed or infection occurs, sutures may open or scarring may become more pronounced. Smoking, diabetes, and failure to follow aftercare instructions increase these risks.
- Asymmetry or under-correction may occur; one ear may remain more prominent than the other. Revision surgery may be required.
- Cartilage memory — the tendency of cartilage to return to its original position — can occur; this risk is minimised with proper suturing techniques.
- Haematoma (blood collection in the ear) may occur if the dressing is not applied correctly.
- General surgical risks include anaesthetic reactions, bleeding, swelling, and pain.
Revision probability: Revision surgery is required in approximately 5–7% of cases — particularly when full correction was not achieved at the initial surgery or when the ear has gradually reopened over time.
Book an Otoplasty Appointment in Nişantaşı
You can easily schedule your initial consultation for otoplasty at Dr. Emre Türkmen ENT Clinic, located in Nişantaşı Medical Center at Teşvikiye Mah. Sakayık Sok. No:15. The clinic provides services in English and Turkish. With 15 years of experience, a 4.9-star rating, and over 500 patient reviews, you can book your appointment with confidence.