Children with protruding ears sometimes feel self-conscious in social settings and experience low self-esteem. An otoplasty is a surgical procedure that moves the ears closer to the head, making them less prominent and more proportionate with facial features. Learn more about this cosmetic surgery and when children can undergo it.

What Age Is Best for an Otoplasty?

When a baby is born, their inner ears are fully developed, and the outer ears finish growing by the time a child reaches age four or five. Though most cosmetic procedures must be performed on adults, otoplasties are safe for kids because the outer ears have reached maturity by early childhood. At this age, the ear cartilage is also softer and more flexible, making it easy to adjust and accelerating healing time. 

How Should I Talk to My Child About It?

Book a consultation appointment with a cosmetic surgeon to rule out the possibility of underlying conditions that could make the surgery risky. The doctor will then explain what the cosmetic surgery entails to your child in terms they can understand. Based on this information, have a private conversation with your child at home afterward and ask them whether they feel comfortable with the surgery. 

What Does the Procedure Entail?

An otoplasty is an outpatient procedure that typically takes about two hours. Your child should wear comfortable clothes, such as pajamas, and a shirt that will not pull at the ears while being removed afterward. 

Your cosmetic surgeon will use local or general anesthesia to numb the area and make the experience painless. They’ll make an incision behind the ear folds, reshape the cartilage, and use sutures to pin the ears in the corrected position. Your child will spend a brief period in recovery until the anesthesia wears off and the surgeon approves their release.

Closely monitor your child’s ears after the procedure to prevent infection and injury. Keep your child home for about a week, and have them avoid strenuous activities. Clean the incision sites with hydrogen peroxide and apply antibacterial ointment as directed.

Help your child feel more confident about their appearance with corrective otoplasty from The Ferguson Clinic. They provide cosmetic surgery to adults and children throughout Honolulu. Call (808) 521-1999 to set up a free consultation with their board-certified cosmetic surgeon, and visit the website to learn more about their procedures for improving the face, skin, and body.