Otoplasty is a surgical procedure performed on the ears to correct their shape, position, or size. This surgery often addresses both functional and aesthetic problems caused by the ear’s appearance. The procedure is carried out on the external part of the ear, known as the auricular pavilion.
The pavilion consists of folds of cartilage covered by skin. Its development begins before birth and continues during the first years of childhood. If this development does not occur as it should, the reshaping of the auricular cartilage can be achieved through otoplasty surgery.
Protruding ears, or in scientific terms, “auricular protrusion,” are one of the most common genetic deformities of the face (about 5% of the general population). This condition affects both boys and girls, and the problem it causes is purely aesthetic. Thus, it is not uncommon for a child with protruding ears to feel self-conscious about their appearance. If not corrected early, it can significantly affect their self-confidence and likely their future daily life. In many cases, these children become targets of insensitive teasing at school and among peers, which can greatly impact their psychological well-being.