Question:
I’ve always had large, protruding ears and I’d like to get ear surgery. Is it possible to combine this with any other procedures?

Answer:
An otoplasty can be combined with virtually any other procedure that you desire.  Of course, those other procedures would then determine whether or not the otoplasty would be performed in an office setting or in the operating room under general anesthesia. 

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Question:
Will my child have to have general anesthesia for her otoplasty surgery?

Answer:
Most children do have otoplasties performed under general anesthesia, but if your child is old enough to tolerate in office injections in and around the ear then we could perform this in an office setting.  It really depends on the age of the child as most children under the age of about 12 are going to be undergoing general anesthesia while those over the age of 12 could theoretically have it performed in the office although still many prefer to go to the operating room.  Certainly anybody over the age of 16 to 18 should be able to easily tolerate these numbing injections around the ears and we can, therefore, perform their otoplasties in an office setting. 

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Question:
I am a 28-year-old woman and I’m interested in otoplasty. My ears are pierced and I wonder if this will be affected at all by the surgery.

Answer:
Otoplasty can easily be performed in patients with pierced ears without affecting the piercing.  Essentially the incision for an otoplasty is in the back of the ear in the crease and this avoids any injury to the actual piercing assuming that your piercing is in the ear lobule and not up along the side or cartilaginous portion of the ear.

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Question:
How soon after otoplasty will I be able to return to my job?

Answer:
Depending on what you do for a living, you may be able to return to work the following day after the pressure dressing is removed.  I typically perform otoplasties in adults under local anesthesia in the office and then I will apply a light pressure dressing that they can remove the following day.  The ears overall have a greatly improved shape immediately and though there may be some swelling and very mild bruising they overall look relatively good and most patients can resume nonstrenuous activities immediately.

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Question:
Are there any very serious risks that would make me reconsider getting otoplasty?

Answer:
Overall, otoplasty is exceptionally safe and reliable, but there certainly are risks with any sort of procedure and particular to otoplasty would be a concern for a blood collection under the skin, which could then lead to an infection and the worst-case scenario would be infection of the actual cartilage that could require long-term antibiotics.  As of yet I have never seen a case of this occur, but it is a risk nonetheless.

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