Otoplasty is often undertaken by teenage or adult candidates, but children can also be considered if they have sufficiently firm cartilage to allow a safe surgery, typically after the age of five. Some children are born with ear deformities, a series of conditions which affects between 20 and 30 percent of newborns, and parents may wish to address this issue as early as possible.
In certain cases, a version of non-surgical otoplasty, or “tissue molding”, can be performed to correct the deformity. This type of molding must be performed in the newborn period to be effective. Otherwise, the problem can be fixed surgically after the age of five.
Older patients that have cosmetic or medical problems with one or both ears should be assessed to ensure they are healthy enough to have surgery. Smoking and certain medications may put you at a higher risk of complication. It is beneficial to have a specific and realistic expectation of what you would like the surgery to achieve before actually undergoing surgery.