A situation that no one expects but is very common is the malformation of certain areas of the body. The most common of these occurs in the region of the ears, known as protruding ears. Protruding ear is identified when the outer edge of the ear is set apart from the head, making it look larger than normal. This observation is made as the baby grows, and by about three and a half years old, the ears have reached 90% of their adult size.

That’s why most doctors recommend that parents wait until this period to assess the situation and, if necessary, suggest some cosmetic correction. In Brazil, plastic surgery specialists recommend that the repair be done between the ages of 6 and 7, when the child is already aware of the situation and is interested in having the correction.

In many cases, protruding ears go beyond being just an aesthetic issue, as certain embarrassments, especially at school age, can cause serious psychological problems. That’s why some parents seek help early to avoid certain situations their child might experience. However, this is not generally accepted as a reason by most experts, who consider the real need for intervention to occur when the child themselves expresses complaints or discomfort over the situation. Only a few surgeons perform the procedure solely based on parents’ wishes to avoid future embarrassment.

Surgery for Protruding Ears

There is a solution for almost everything in life, including protruding ears. Otoplasty is the plastic surgery procedure for correcting prominent ears and is recommended to reduce minor or major deformities, angle, size, and asymmetry, as well as birth defects or those caused by accident or trauma.

The issue of protruding ears can be classified from mild to severe degrees, and the doctor will evaluate the patient’s actual need. The main consideration is the degree of discomfort the child feels about the issue. Therefore, it is recommended to seek an assessment from a plastic surgeon when the child is around 6 to 7 years old, as by then the ears are fully developed, the repair will not interfere with growth, and the child already understands the situation and can express their desire for repair or not—especially since they are of school age and may face embarrassing situations.

Everyone knows that during school years, children often “tease” others with nicknames that are not always funny and almost never pleasant. In many cases, this even hinders the child’s school performance, causing embarrassment and isolation. Usually, children with protruding ears endure this embarrassment and become the target of jokes by classmates, getting various nicknames. When the child starts to complain, it is time to seek help and resolve the situation.

A consultation with a specialist who will explain the entire process of the protruding ear surgery, showing the benefits and possible complications, is essential. Also, a clinical assessment and laboratory tests will be requested to determine if the child is fit to undergo anesthesia and the surgical procedure. Usually, the type of anesthesia will be chosen by the anesthesiologist, who will assess the extent of the repair to be made, the child’s age, and physical conditions, selecting between local or general anesthesia. The surgical procedure consists of a small incision behind the ear, where the skin is detached from the cartilage and repositioned closer to the head, and internal stitches are placed to hold the skin in place.

The postoperative period is considered calm, obviously depending on the severity of the surgery. Care involves basic wound care and changing dressings as needed. In the first days, some swelling is common and will subside gradually, and the external stitches should be removed about 7 to 9 days after the surgical repair.

After this period, the child can return to their normal activities, including school. The final result of corrective surgery for protruding ears will only be fully seen about 3 months after the procedure, by which time the swelling will have completely subsided and the stitches will be healed.

See also: Baby Care – Flattened Ears, Head and Burping

Photos: James, Monroe’s Dragonfly