Otoplasty is a surgery of the external ear and is mostly for people with overly large ears. Otoplasty gives the patients self-esteem as the patients having overly large ears have to undergo various cruel jokes and comments. The abnormality in their ear before the operation is very much visible and thus they become a laughing stock and all their self-confidence shatters. However, with the help of otoplasty ears can be made more symmetrical and reshaped.

The candidates between the ages of four to fourteen are usually advised not to undergo this type of surgery. But as such there is no age bar. The candidates for otoplasty are of course those with extremely large ears or those whose ears protrude too far from the side of the head. The taunts and jokes are mainly on the children suffering from this kind of abnormality and thus can cause emotional damage to them at times. So, it is very important to go for the operation in childhood only. After the operation it may happen that the ear still may protrude a bit outside and would not fulfill your expectations. Hence, it is better that you should discuss with the surgeon before the operation about your expectation of the outcome of the surgery.

Like any other surgery, Otoplasty has some risks but they are too minor. This process involves incision on the backside of ear and then some operations on the ear cartilage. Ear does not have any arteries but numerous capillaries and thus a hemorrhage is a very rare case. There are chances to get a seroma i.e. building up of some liquid under the skin which can be remedied by draining out the liquid. There are also few chances of swelling and bruising but they go within seven days with proper medications. Other than this, people may catch an infection via otoplasty but it is very rare; the first symptom is fever and can be resolved with antibiotics.

Though Otoplasty helps to adjust the length of the ear, it does not improve hearing at all. The only advantage is that this operation makes a person look better with normal ears and thus this is often chosen with normal facial cosmetic surgery.

Besides, the cost for this operation is much and the cost can be reduced by the medical tourism which helps people to undergo an operation in a lesser cost in a foreign country than in their own country. Thus people can save a lot of money with the help of medical tourism.

The outcome of the surgery is generally successful and the results in regards are in fact forever. In this the surgeon will cut a part of the cartilage and this cannot be replaced. So, the surgery is a permanent one.

Thus through this operation children does not have to hear the taunts like ‘Mickey Mouse’ and ‘Dumbo Ears’ and they can lead their life normally and playfully and even the elder ones does not have to submit to the peculiar stares given to them.