If the cartilage of the ear grows or develops awkwardly, the ears may project unusually and appear to stick out from birth.
During the first years of child development, the characteristics of the cartilage may change which is why no form of corrective procedure on ear cartilage to effectively “pin back ears” is recommended until your child is at least 5 years of age or older. Following various forms of head trauma, which may have been experienced either through accident or other injury, the shape of the ear or ears may also become damaged or deformed.
Medical Term: Otoplasty
Type of Anesthesia: Local or General Anesthesia
Surgery time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Length of hospital stay: Outpatient
Aftercare: dressings for 1-2 weeks, suture removal after 7-10 days, headband (at night) for 2-4 weeks
Back to public: After 1 week
Back to work: After 1 week (depending upon physical strain)
Time of recovery: 4-6 weeks
Fees: starting at 6.000 CHF
Otoplasty procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis with light anaesthesia, or under local anaesthesia if preferred. Incision is made behind the pinna (outer part of the ear) in order to reshape or reduce the ear cartilage. When approaching the ear shape, correction can sometimes be improved simply with a hyaluronic filler. However, in the overwhelming majority of cases optimal ear shaping is generally achieved through corrective surgery. In instances where a harmonious ear shape can be achieved without surgery, hyaluronic acid is injected into the area where required. This can be applied to both the pinna and the ear lobe.
Your hearing is not impaired in any way and there should be no pain. Incidents and complications are extremely rare in otoplasty procedures. As with any operative procedure postoperative bleeding, infection and wound healing problems may occur. Any potential for scaring is minimal and incision barely visible after a few weeks. Complications after filler injections are also seen very rarely, however temporary swelling and mild redness may be observed.
The wearing of a head bandage continuously for 7 days post-op will aid in the healing process. For optimal results and minimisation of potential complication we recommend wearing a headband during the night for the following 14-21 days. After non-invasive corrections performed with fillers one can return to all activities the day after the treatment.
As with any cosmetic procedure, otoplasty surgery costs can vary widely dependent upon the patient, condition of the skin, tissue and cartilage and so forth. Our fee is based on the type and extent of the surgical procedure performed and if done under general- or local anaesthesia. Of course all surgical fees are discussed, agreed and paid in advance, that there will be no unexpected costs. In general, most health insurances only very rarely cover cosmetic otoplasty surgeries. Costs for a non-invasive filler treatment mainly depends from the amount of hyaluronic acid used.
Price for otoplasty: from 6.000 CHF