A Surgical Procedure!
If you have protruding or misshapen ears, otoplasty can help. This surgery can correct all sorts of ear-related abnormalities - especially in children from ages 4 to 14, but also in teens and adults.

The Procedure:
Plastic Surgeons have several options for reshaping the ear. They can cut out a small portion of cartilage in the ear, or they can fold and stitch the cartilage rather than cut it away. In either case, the main incision is behind the ear, so it won't be visible later.

Common Side Effects:
You should expect pain and swelling, but your surgeon can prescribe a painkiller. There may be some temporary numbness.

Complications:
In rare cases, there may be infection or a collection of blood under the skin that may need to be drained. There may be asymmetry or mismatched ears, possibly requiring more surgery. A stitch can be rejected or break, causing the ear to lose some of the correction. There can also be a recurrence of the protrusion. Scarring can occur behind the ear, although it is usually not visible.

Recovery:
Plan to stay home at least one week after the surgery. You will have to wear a bandage for five to seven days and a headband-type dressing for up to three weeks to promote proper healing. If you have stitches that need to be taken out, your surgeon will do this about one week after the surgery. Scars at the incision site will fade over time.