Prominent Ear Aesthetics (Otoplasty)

Beyond being a part of facial aesthetics, our ears are organs that deeply affect social psychology, especially during childhood and adolescence. The condition where the angle between the auricle and the skull is wider than normal, or where the ear folds are underdeveloped, is called Prominent Ear deformity.

This condition is not a disease but a structural difference. However, it can lead to “peer bullying” in school-aged children, resulting in significant loss of self-confidence, introversion, and a tendency to avoid tying back one’s hair.

Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü offers Otoplasty surgery in his Istanbul clinic as a highly practical, painless, and permanent solution for both children and adults. The goal is not to “pin” the ear to the head, but to create natural folds to achieve an aesthetic and normal appearance.

The Best Time for Otoplasty: Pre-School

Ear development is one of the processes in the human body that completes earliest. By the age of 6, a child’s ears have reached 90% of their adult size. Therefore, to ensure the child is not exposed to teasing from peers and does not experience psychological trauma when starting school, age 6 (pre-elementary school) is the most ideal period for surgery.

However, there is no upper age limit for this surgery; adults of all ages who did not have the opportunity during childhood can safely undergo otoplasty.

Surgery Process and Technique

Otoplasty surgery is performed under general anesthesia for children and usually under local anesthesia for adults, lasting an average of 1–1.5 hours. Op. Dr. Bekir Can Gümüşlü evaluates options such as the Incisionless (Thread) Method or the Classical Surgical Method based on the patient’s ear structure. In the classical method, which provides the most permanent and reliable results:

• Invisible Incision: A small incision is made in the fold behind the ear.

• Cartilage Shaping: The resistance of the cartilage causing the prominent appearance is weakened.

• Permanent Sutures: The ear is brought to the correct angle and fixed with permanent sutures, and the “Y” fold (antihelix) is created.

Since the scar remains behind the ear, it is absolutely not visible from the outside.

Recovery Process

After the surgery, the ears are wrapped in a pressure bandage for 2–3 days. Once this bandage is removed, the patient is asked to wear a tennis band (headband) at night while sleeping for about 2–3 weeks. This is to prevent the ear from folding during sleep.

• Adults can return to work/social life 2–3 days after the procedure, and children can return to school after 1 week.

• There may be slight bruising and edema in the ears during the first few days, which subsides quickly.

• Sutures are generally the self-dissolving type, so there is no need for removal.