Our ears often do not attract much attention when normal in size and relationship with other facial features. However, large, protruding or misshapen ears may be distracting or detract from facial appearance. Children with prominent or misshapen ears may suffer the ridicule of peers, which may negatively impact self-confidence.
Plastic surgery of the ear or otoplasty is a surgical procedure performed to improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear. Ears are almost fully grown by the age of four. The operation is typically performed on children between the age of four to fourteen and adults. Techniques usually involve a combination of cartilage sculpting or excision as well as precise suture placement to produce the desired result.