How noticeable are the scars after an otoplasty?

Minimizing Scars with Otoplasty

Scars and incision placement are an important part of otoplasty surgery.  There are four basic approaches to otoplasty or correction of 'dumbo ears.'  Experience of the surgeon influences results.  The four types of surgery are as follows:

• Conchomastoid sutures: Furnas technique
• Conchoscaphoid sutures: restoring antihelical fold
• Anterior scoring of the cartilage: Stenstrom's to bend the ear back.
• Excision of posterior skin

All of these procedures are performed with hidden scars to minimize the risk of scar.

Typically scars are placed in the fold between your scalp and ears.  Scars are permanent but it is unusual to be able to see this scar unless you fold the ear forward.

In the immediate post-op period you may have swelling and bruising that may give away that you've had a correction but after that resolves it should be very difficult to tell that you've had an otoplasty.

I hope this helps.

Steven Williams, MD