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Surgical correction of the protruding ear deformity is a safe and highly successful procedure. It can be performed after the child has reached the age of six years. By this time the majority of ear growth has been achieved. Protruding ears, which stick out from the head prominently are considered to be less-than-attractive in our society. Children with this deformity become the object of peer group ridicule and are frequently told that they look stupid; irrespective of the fact that intelligence has nothing to do with protruding ears. The ridicule they receive can result in loss of self-esteem. This can be prevented by corrective ear surgery known as otoplasty. 
When the otoplasty is properly performed there should be no sharp telltale lines in the cartilage folds of the ears; the ears should look quite normal in appearance. To achieve this, it involves first accentuating the inner fold of the ear (Antihelix), and next, rotation of the ear backwards by means of special sutures between the inner cup (Concha), and the underlying deeper tissues (fascia). The operation is performed through incisions behind the ear. The ear is then molded with an absorbent material incorporated into a head dressing. This must stay in place for the first week for protection and to hold the shape. This dressing also absorbs bleeding. The new ear shape will be well set by the time the dressing is removed. Forward-looking parents can save their children with protruding ears from unwarranted ridicule and psychologic trauma if they have corrective ear surgery performed on their child at the proper early age. Patients who do this later in life also find satisfaction, but may have enduring psychologic trauma from childhood. | ||||