Indications

Adult otoplasty patients are usually concerned about both the position of their ears and the actual ear shape. Effectively anybody with concerns about their ears is potentially a candidate for an otoplasty.

The ideal age for a child to have the procedure is when they are old enough to understand what is happening and to be cooperative with the post-operative regime, but have not yet started school.  Generally they are around 4 years of age and the surgery is done at the parents request.  These patients require a general anaesthetic.  Once the child has started school it is usually best to wait until they declare that they want them fixed, this makes tolerating the post-operative bandage, etc a more realistic option.  Some older children maybe suitable for surgery under local anaesthetic.

Adult otoplasty patients, particularly  females, frequently decide to proceed with surgery so that they can alter their hairstyle to one which shows more of the ear.  The procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic.