Protruding Ears: Earliest Age for Ear Pinning Surgery

Does your child have protruding ears? Prominent ears can be a source of self-consciousness, especially for children and adolescents. Even if your child doesn’t seem bothered by their ears yet, many parents want to know the earliest age otoplasty, ear pinning surgery, can be performed. Here’s what you need to know about the timing and benefits of ear pinning surgery.

Protruding ears are usually the result of genetics and are characterized by ears that stick out more than 2 centimeters from the side of the head. This condition can affect one or both ears (although it’s usually bilateral) and is typically noticeable from birth. While it doesn’t impact hearing, the appearance can lead to social challenges, particularly in school-aged children.

The gold standard for correcting prominent ears is with otoplasty, ear pinning surgery. The procedure takes about 1-2 hours and is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation, depending on the age of the child. A small incision is made behind the ear to reach the cartilage which is then reshaped and repositioned closer to the head. Sutures are used to maintain the new shape. Dressing is applied to protect the ears and children will have to wear a special headband for several weeks to support the new position and reduce swelling. Otoplasty results are permanent. Normal activities can resume within a week or two.

The timing of otoplasty is crucial to ensure the best outcomes, both physically and emotionally. First, it’s important to consider the best timing from a developmental lens. By the age of 5, a child’s ears have generally reached about 90% of their adult size. This makes the cartilage strong enough to hold the sutures used in ear pinning surgery. Waiting to perform the surgery until this age also ensures the ears are developed enough for the procedure while still being flexible. Another consideration is that school-aged children can be sensitive to teasing and bullying about their appearance. Undergoing otoplasty before starting school or in the early school years can help prevent potential psychological impacts and boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Children around the age of 5 or older are generally more capable of understanding the procedure and following postoperative care instructions. Maturity is an important factor in ensuring a smooth recovery and optimal results.