OTOPLASTY

How do I know if an otoplasty is right for me?

Sometimes it is hard to know if you really have a problem. The ear is an easily visible organ so here is a guide so you can make a diagnosis and see if surgery will help you. To understand this information you will need to refer to our page on ear anatomy which you may want to print for reference.

For most patients the protruding ear is obvious. In young children the parent or other family member may notice this first. Even young children may be embarrassed by remarks made by school friends. Sometimes it may run in a family and a parent or sibling may have the same problem.

Although the ear may be larger than normal it is more common for it to be a normal size. It most commonly affects both ears.

The problem is usually due to an underdeveloped antihelical fold or a overdeveloped or deep concha. When both factors are present the ear will stick out even more.

The normal ear is between 1.5 and 2.0 cm ( 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch) from the scalp to the outer part of the upper ear. If it is more than this it is abnormal. The outer edge of the ear should be smooth and the angle between the concha and the rest pf the ear about 90 degrees. When you look at the ear from in front you should be able to see the helix behind the antihelix. In some patients the earlobe may be larger.

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