All plastic, cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures come with risks and potential complications. To ensure successful surgery, it is crucial to understand and minimise these risks. Whilst all measures are taken to mitigate risks, some risks are unavoidable.
All information on this page is general in nature – your Specialist Plastic Surgeon will discuss the specific risks and complications pertinent to your individual surgical procedure during your consultation. General risks for surgery are listed here.
Specific risks related to otoplasty surgery include, but are not limited to:
- Asymmetrical ears: In some cases, the ears may not be perfectly symmetrical after surgery. This may require further surgery to correct.
- Re-protrusion of the ears: The ears may protrude again after surgery. This may also require further surgery.
- Nausea and loss of balance: Fluid accumulation within the inner ear can cause nausea and loss of balance. This is usually temporary, but it can be severe in some cases.
- Temporary or permanent loss of sensation: The skin around the surgical site and the surface of the ear may lose sensation temporarily or permanently.
- Ulcer formation: Small areas of skin overlying the cartilage of the ear may die, resulting in the formation of an ulcer. This may take several weeks to heal.
Although no major complications are expected with ear correction surgery, bleeding and bruising may occur. Occasionally, a set back ear may protrude again, necessitating a second procedure. You should follow your surgeon’s advice carefully to reduce the risk of complications. It is unrealistic to expect perfect symmetry between the two sides.
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