Otoplasty

Otoplasty or setback of the ears is commonly performed on children from the age of 5 and older up to adulthood. The ear sometimes fails to form the normal cartilage structure and the ears can protrude at a 90 degree angle. This surgery reshapes the cartilage. Sutures hold the cartilage in the correct position as healing takes place. Sutures are also used to attach the cartilage to the deeper tissues creating a normal appearance. The surgery takes about 1 hour, is not painful, and only produces moderate swelling of the ears.