Dr. Dirk Lazarus
Plastic Surgeon

Tel: 021 424 1112
Fax: 021 424 1118

86 New Church St
Tamboerskloof
Cape Town, 8001
South Africa

OTOPLASTY is an operation performed to 'pin back' protuberant or bat ears. It may be performed in childhood, frequently just prior to starting school, or in adults.

Prominent ears may be due to either an insufficient antihelical fold (see picture), an excessively deep concha or both. Depending on the particular problem either an antihelical fold will be created or the concha will be set back and made more shallow. Frequently both conchal setback and antihelical fold creation are done concurrently.

The procedure is performed through incisions which are usually made in the crease behind the ear. This usually heals well and becomes inconspicuous in time. Surgery takes about 2 hours and is frequently performed as day case under local anaesthesia. General anaesthesia may be used for children or those patients who choose it. Following the procedure a head bandage is applied which is removed on about the fifth post-operative day.

Complications which can occur include bleeding, infection, delayed healing, numbness, asymmetry and excess or inadequate set back. The recovery period after otoplasty is about 2 weeks, by which stage most of the swelling and bruising should be gone.  The effects of surgery are permanent.

Testimonials from patients who have had ear surgery.