Protruding (“bat”) ears are often visible right after birth. They may affect one or both ears and can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The most common causes include an underdeveloped fold of the outer ear and thickened cartilage or skin, which increase the angle of the ear. The normal angle of the ear to the head is about 15–30 degrees, and an angle greater than 30 degrees is already considered the beginning of protrusion.
Parents are often unsure when to proceed with surgery, that is, at what age. It is considered best to perform the operation just before the child starts school, so that the child enters a new environment without a noticeable anomaly. The fact that protruding ears can be corrected at preschool age is good for both parents and children, because visible deformities can be resolved in time, before they become a source of insecurity during the school years.
Methods
Otoplasty is an aesthetic surgical procedure that very successfully and permanently solves the problem of protruding ears, in both children and adults. The operation is performed under local anaesthesia and takes about an hour. The incisions are behind the ear and completely invisible.
Recovery
A return to normal activities is allowed 7 days after the operation, when the bandages are removed; the stitches that remain for another 7 days are completely invisible.