Otoplasty: ear correction

At your first consultation, we'll make sure that a hearing correction is right for you. To this end, we clarify questions about your general state of health. We measure the various parameters of the ear and analyze the exact misalignment of the ear. Nicotine use should ideally be stopped 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after the operation. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and certain vitamin and homeopathic medicines, should also be stopped 2 weeks before surgery. You will receive detailed instructions from us before the operation.

On the day of the operation, preparation of the so-called pre-images and drawing of the future ear contour in a standing position are required. General anesthesia is used for children. In other cases, we usually perform the ear correction under local anaesthetic. The incision is made at the back of the ear. The shape of the ear cartilage is modified accordingly, and your auricle is threaded and secured with permanent sutures. The procedure takes around 1-2 hours, and at the end a special compression bandage is applied. After just a few hours, you can return home.

Immediately after the operation, you will be fitted with a head bandage. It supports the new shape of the ear and should be worn for a week. Pain after ear correction can be well treated with mild analgesics that have a decongestant effect. You will also need to take antibiotics for 7 days after the procedure. The bandage is changed after one week. After that, you'll need to wear a bandage for 2 weeks day and night, then a further 2 weeks at night only. Light physical activity can be resumed after just a few days. After 6 weeks, you can take up sport again. To make the scar as invisible as possible, scar treatment should be started after the scar has healed. Special scar ointments are suitable for this purpose, and should be applied three times a day to the affected areas. Massage helps the cream to be absorbed. As long as the scar is red or pink, you should protect it from the sun.

In principle, every operation carries certain risks, such as infection or haematoma. The skin's sensitivity to touch may be slightly reduced after the operation. Ecchymosis, redness and slight swelling appear regularly after the operation, divergence of the wound edges under mechanical stress, healing disorders, asymmetry of both ears.