Ear Correction - Introduction

A person's ears garner little attention from most people when surveying their range of visual body preferences. The form and color of the hair, lips, and eyes are things that are first registered by one's counterpart.

Only in the negative sense are the ears noticeable at first glance. Above all, so-called "elephant ears", which refer to protruding ears, are felt to be detrimental to a harmonious overall appearance. While these may be signs of cleverness and wealth in far eastern countries, in other countries they are seen as unaesthetic and are often the target of ridicule and scorn.
In Germany, for example, around 5% of the population comes into the world with protruding ears. This is in itself is not a great dilemma, but during one's formative school years, the affected person must endure teasing. This, in part, can lead to serious issues of self-worth. Later on, it also becomes difficult to come to terms with this condition due to the fact that western beauty ideals favor close-lying rather than large ears.
However, the problem of congenital ear cartilage malformation or asymmetry in parts of the cartilage on both sides can be addressed using a modern surgical operative procedure. This can be applied to one or both ears and is an uncomplicated, low-risk method of reshaping ear cartilage. It is recommended that this procedure be undertaken during childhood because the cartilage is not as hard in children as it is in adults. In any case, the child should have already passed the age of 5, which is when the ears begin their major growth cycle. However, the operation can be carried out for youths and adults of every age without noteworthy problems.

The cause of protruding ears is the insufficient development or simple absence of the major plication (fold) in the ear. For this reason, a surgical procedure is used to renew the plication and fix the ear in its changed position. The operative procedure itself is a combination of incision, scoring, and stitching techniques which are adapted to fit scope the of the procedure. There is no need to fear troublesome scars due to the fact that operative access is typically obtained through the back side of the ear. The cartilage is first exposed and thinned out until it sits in its desired form. The cartilage is then fixed in its new position using stitches. Finally, the patient is given a protective bandage. Normally, when no complications are initially present, the procedure can be conducted as an outpatient procedure and using local anaesthesia.

You can expect a length of up to two hours for the procedure, or around 30 to 60 minutes per ear. In exceptional cases, a one-day inpatient stay may be recommended to the patient. After the operation and as soon as the effects of the sedative have worn off, one may return home escorted. Driving should absolutely not be undertaken on the day of the procedure. If the healing process progresses according to plan, one may resume work after around three to four days; children may resume going to school. Even though the procedure is not really very dramatic, one should, of course, research it comprehensively beforehand and consult with a medical professional.
The results of a successful ear correction procedure are ears that lie closer to the head and provide the affected person with new feelings of self-worth.^1,2