How is a ear surgery procedure performed?

In children, the cartilage is soft enough that splints can be used for contouring during surgery. This is typically done under general anesthesia. Adults, however, have harder cartilage, and the procedure must be carried out by removing or repositioning cartilage after making a small incision in the ear.

Depending on your anatomy and desired changes, your doctor may make an incision hidden inside or behind the ear. Extra cartilage or soft tissue that makes the ear "stick out" too much can be removed. If normal folds are missing from the ear, they can be re-created by shaping the cartilage with permanent sutures or scraping the cartilage to contour it. Sometimes a combination of techniques is needed to get the desired result.

When to Consider Ear Surgery

• If you were born with overly large or small ears
• If your ears are disproportionate to your head or oddly placed
• If your ears stick out prominently
• If you have suffered an injury that has negatively impacted the shape or positioning of your ears