Otoplasty surgery is an out patient procedure performed under a general anesthetic or local anesthesia with sedation and generally takes two to three hours to perform. The technique used will depend on the problem.

One common technique involves a small incision in the back of the ear (postauricular crease) to expose the cartilage. This cartilage is then sculpted and optimally positioned. Permanent stitches may be used to help hold this shape. Suture placement is adjusted in order to achieve the correct and desired amount of ear projection. Sometimes a piece of cartilage will be removed to give a more natural look.

Another technique involves a similar incision but during this, skin is removed and stitches are used to fold the cartilage back on itself to reshape the ear without removing cartilage.

There will be a small, concealed scar on the back of the ear, which will fade with time.

Your individual surgical treatment plan is based on your specific ear anatomy and your goals. The specific surgical technique chosen will be designed to avoid under correction (ear still protruding too far), over correction (ear placed to close to the head) or recurrence of deformity.